(Possibly Unsubstantiated) Rumor Has it that Hedo Turkoglu Will Sign a Contract Extension

by Evan Dunlap on Jul 11, 2008 2:30 PM EDT in Rumors

The most important rumor floating today might not be exactly credible -- it comes from a message-board poster -- but if it's true, I'll be one happy camper, as will plenty of Magic fans. Says poster INeedMoreDarko (via Punisher):

I've been told Turkoglu will sign a 2 year extension this offseason. Turk loves Orlando(and the Dragon Room), loves Stan, loves the direction the Magic are headed and loves the signing of Pietrus.

Otis also has a great relationship with Lon Babby, his agent. And will extend Turk another 2 years, possibly 3(Similar to Lew's non-fully guarenteed contract for the last year of his). Remember when we inked Battie to an extension out of nowhere? Agent? Lon Babby... I dont know how much he'll be extending for but I hear it will be roughly 8 Mil a year.

John Denton reported only a few days ago that Pietrus and Turkoglu vacationed together in Turkey earlier this summer, so it makes sense that Hedo would appreciate the Magic signing one of his close friends. I don't know when Turk would sign this extension; Battie signed his near the end of the 2005/2006 season.

I do not know what the Dragon Room is.
Denton also says the Magic's front office is keeping its eyes on what happens to embattled point guards Jamaal Tinsley of Indiana and Stephon Marbury of New York. If those players accept buyouts from their present teams, the Magic will consider signing them to back-up Jameer Nelson. Tinsley's a decent enough point guard when healthy and not shooting the ball, but I think I'd feel more comfortable with Jason Williams. As for Marbury... no. A million times, no.

UPDATE: Brian Schmitz spoke to Otis Smith about the Marbury and Tinsley rumors. There's no truth to them:

The Magic desperately need a point guard, maybe two, to back up Jameer Nelson.

So when I asked Smith if he had interest in either the Pacers' Jamaal Tinsley or the Knicks' Stephon Marbury --- two moody, controversial players who might be bought out by their teams and available for a song --- he shook his head.

No.

And no way.

"You know me," he said.

That's a relief.

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Comments

haha don’t hit the downtown clubs much huh?

ya me neither

dragon room is one of the nicest clubs tho, soo many fine girls… but all like 24 and out of my league

anyway, while a lot of the pieces of this story fit, i’m not so sure about this. no player at his age and ability is going to take a 2 yr deal. he is looking for some security as he gets up there in age… also $8m? Hedo is severely underpaid already, he surely will be looking for a raise…

but then again i’m sure you’ve already thought about all this

by coque429 on Jul 11, 2008 1:52 AM EDT reply actions

haha, what was your first clue?

The Batman references or the hours a week I spend on this site?

Third Quarter Collapse: An Orlando Magic blog at SB Nation

by Evan Dunlap on Jul 11, 2008 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Otis is impressing me

I would love to keep Hedo. We pay Lewis enough to play the 4 long term and not complain. It’s Dwight and the small forwards coming to a theater near you!

'Coach, Dwight is a nice guy. Dwight don't hit anybody. But Superman will knock the crap out of you.' - D12

by Eyriq the Red on Jul 11, 2008 7:31 AM EDT reply actions

If Otis can secure Hedo long-term in some fashion, then the first thing that popped into my head was the Detroit Pistons. When they started their dominant run in the East with countless Eastern Conference Finals appearances and a NBA Title in between, there was a great amount of continuity with the team.

If we have that same type of continuity (signing Hedo long-term is the last step in my opinion), I see a similar path for the Magic as well.

Freelance Writer for the Chicago Tribune
Class of 2009 - DePaul University

by erivera7 on Jul 11, 2008 7:04 PM EDT up reply actions