Turkoglu Changes Mind, Headed to Toronto

Yesterday, Hedo Turkoglu told the Trail Blazers that he was going to sign with Portland. But as the hours went on, Turkoglu apparently had a change of heart. Turkoglu isn’t headed to Portland after all — he’s headed to Toronto to play with the Raptors.

Although the Raptors can pay him a little bit more — reportedly about $53 million instead of $50 million — it sounds like the city of Toronto was the main selling point. Turkoglu and his wife reportedly like Toronto’s international flavor and that was the turning point.

For the Blazers this is obviously bad news. Turkoglu would have fit perfectly at the small forward position. Next to Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge and Greg Oden, Turkoglu would have made the Blazers a championship contender. Now with Turkoglu off the board, they’ll probably turn their attention to someone like David Lee of the New York Knicks or Lamar Odom of the Los Angeles Lakers.

With the Raptors, Turkoglu will join Chris Bosh, Andrea Bargnani and Jose Calderon. That foursome should be enough to make a major push for the playoffs.

Hedo Turkoglu Raptors (Image: Zuma Press)