Orlando's Hedo Turkoglu Declines $39M Contract Extension, Enters Free Agency

Orlando Magic forward Hedo Turkoglu declined a four-year contract extension worth $35 million after opting out of his contract.

Turkoglu will now enter free agency on July 1 as an unrestricted free agent.

Turkoglu was due $7.3 million next season in the final year of his $36 million, six-year deal with the Magic. Turkoglu averaged 16.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.9 assists last season for the Eastern Conference champions.

During the Finals, Turkoglu led the team in scoring with 18 points per game. The Magic lost to the LA Lakers in five games.

According to reports, Turkoglu declined the contract extension last week prior to the NBA Draft. Orlando then made a blockbuster trade to send Rafer Alston, Tony Battie and rookie Courtney Lee to New Jersey for Vince Carter and Ryan Anderson.

With Carter’s contract ($16.3 million in 2009-10), it will be difficult for Orlando to re-sign Turkoglu, who is expecting a $10 million per year deal.

The Magic had said they wanted Turkoglu to return. They may have to dip into their luxury tax in order to do so.

Turkoglu is the first player in the NBA to be born in Turkey. He has spent the last five years in Orlando after a four-year stint with the Sacramento Kings.

The Detroit Pistons are said to be one of the teams vying for Turkoglu’s services. They will more than likely part ways with Rasheed Wallace and Allen Iverson, so they will need a versatile forward and scoring.

Detroit also interested in Chicago Bulls guard Ben Gordon, Utah Jazz forward Carlos Boozer and New York Knicks forward David Lee, according to the Detroit Free-Press.

Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings, and Oklahoma City Thunder are also interested in Turkoglu, according to the Orlando Sentinel. Portland Trail Blazers and the Toronto Raptors have the cap room and have interest in bringing a veteran, versatile forward to help their young teams, respectively.

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