Hedo Turkoglu Will Opt Out of Contract; Would He Make a Good Fit With the Pistons?

by Packey on Jun 16, 2009 8:34 AM CDT in News Comment 19 comments

Less than 48 hours after losing to the LA Lakers in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, Orlando Magic forward Hedo Turkoglu announced that he will be opting out of the final season of his six-year contract worth $36 million and testing the free agent market this summer. June 30 is the first day players can declare for Free Agency.

There are rumors that the Pistons might pursue Turkoglu, perhaps in the sign-and-trade type fashion involving current Pistons forward Tayshaun Prince. Tayshaun and Turkoglu's career stats are nearly identical, although Prince shoots at a little higher percentage. The thing with Turkoglu is that he has come on stronger the last couple seasons with the Magic whereas Prince's career numbers have been rather consistent over the past five seasons.

In addition to career statistics, a trade of Prince for Turkoglu would probably match up financially, too. Turkoglu was set to make $7.3 million next season, but may get closer to Prince's $9.5 should he follow through with opting out and a sign-and-trade occur.

Prince's struggles in the playoffs the past two years do not match up to the level of Turkoglu's clutch play this post-season and his solid output last year in the Magic's first round loss to the Pistons, though. This rumored trade could be a case of giving Tayshaun Prince a fresh start while giving the Pistons a new look with a player who has had a pair of quality post-seasons. For the record, Turkoglu is eleven months older than Prince.

Would Turkoglu make a good fit with the Pistons? Even with Prince's less than desirable play in the past couple playoffs, I still believe Tayshaun is the better defender while Turkoglu would probably provide more on the offensive side. I'm all for a fresh look and Dumars has certainly been preaching change, but I won't condone change just for the sake of change. If Dumars and the Pistons believe Prince's best days in Detroit are behind him and Turkoglu can provide a much needed spark, then I'm all for it.

What does everyone else think?

Poll

Would Hedo Turkoglu make a good fit with the Pistons

Yes

415 votes

No

286 votes

701 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

It's an interesting case

The most important factor is how the rest of the roster shapes out, if Joe D is looking for Dominance now, Turk will be an excellent edition. If Dumars is targeting youth, Turk wouldn’t be a valuable piece to a developing team. If Turkoglu was 2-3 years younger this would be a non-issue, I would sign him immediately, but his age has put a serious barrier on what would have been a perfect fit. What’s the point of inking a deal when he’ll reach the end of the road in about 3 years?

We didn't lose the games, we just ran out of time -- Bobby Layne

by detpistons3 on Jun 16, 2009 10:21 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree

I think age and Joe D’s plan plays an important role in a potential Turkoglu signing (or sign-and-trade). I know Joe’s whole plan is to not have that huge lull the Pistons had in the 90’s when his team’s era ended, so I think it’s safe to assume that Joe plans on winning again within the next few years. If that’s the case, then Hedo’s age is not as big of a concern.

Motown String Music- SB Nation's Detroit Pistons Blog

by Packey on Jun 16, 2009 10:39 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

As a Magic fan,

Im intrigued by Prince, but I dont like the new offense Magic would have with no Turk, and that Prince isnt as strong a playoff performer as Turk either. I think the Pistons would have to threaten outright signing Turk so the Magic would bite on taking Prince instead, eh?

by derekk on Jun 16, 2009 10:55 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Just say NO to Turkoglu

The Pistons do not need another 12 million dollar player who does nothing but shoot three pointers!!!! If they wanted one of those they would keep ’Sheed around. Turk adds nothing but an outside threat and will demand a big payday…Joe D will hold save his $$$ for a rainy day or a big name free agent next year.

by Roundball1 on Jun 16, 2009 11:17 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Turk isn't the same player

He has a rep for only shooting threes, but he’s not like Peja Stojakovic. He’s evolved into a great playmaker that can make plays off the dribble and beyond the arc. He’s a more complete player than he was 3 years ago. Which is one of the reasons he won Most Improved player last year

We didn't lose the games, we just ran out of time -- Bobby Layne

by detpistons3 on Jun 16, 2009 1:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

do we want players or people that play?

Defense and rebounding is what we need. A real bigman is what is needed. We need Tayshaun and Rip to get the ball and be a little more selfish. We have scorers already we need playmakers.

by JAYWOOD87 on Jun 16, 2009 11:55 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

NO TO HEDO!!!!

….hes to one dementional…..his defense leaves lots to be desired…..Weve got tay and hes twice the player Turk is…..I doubt Joe goes after a one demensional player

by BennieBladesFan on Jun 16, 2009 1:34 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I voted no...

but Hedo would be interesting. He could be a point forward, since I don’t believe Stuckey is a distributor.

Check out nickandroll.blogspot.com

by n1ck34 on Jun 16, 2009 3:57 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Stuckey....

….is a spitting image of a young Billups……Give him time hes been a pg for one season……or should I say half season.

by BennieBladesFan on Jun 16, 2009 4:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

At first sight.

At first sight of this possibility of a free agent signing or trade, I thought there was absolutely NO REASON for the Pistons to try to do this. But after taking a closer look, I believe it would be benifical to Detroit for making this acquisition. If you take a quick look at the potential starting five, my immediate thought is; No! Go get a older veteran to help out Rodney Stuckey & Will Bynum. Which then turns into, they already tried AI, and failed, and Stuckey played really well towards the end of the season, so who says he needs a PG mentor. Which brings us back to Hedo. Hedo has proved to me he is much better than Prince might ever be, and if a free agent signing is possible, that gives you great trade bait for a potential younger up and coming center. So I say, Detroit, go ahead, I’m giving you the green light to go get Hedo, and bring yourselves back to the “Glory of Eastern Conference Finals”.

OG_03

by OG_03 on Jun 16, 2009 4:07 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Just So You Know....

…..Ai was aquired just for his expiring contract…..and we were able to unload a slow aging pg with 32 mil left on his contract in Billups…..It showed against Denver…..he was tired

by BennieBladesFan on Jun 16, 2009 4:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Say what now!

Ok, I’ll give you the AI situation, but Chauncey Billups was a star in Denver who played terrifically throughout the season and post season. Don’t knock on him because he got you to many Eastern Conference Finals, which showed this season. Still, wouldn’t you as a Detroit fan want Hedo instead of Prince?

by OG_03 on Jun 16, 2009 8:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why would I want Hedo.....

…..He doesnt play defense…I dont want anyone that doesnt play defense….Billups is a great player but hes old….He ran out of gas ……Just like he did in detroit last couple yrs…..Hes not worth 12 mil a year now and thats why we ytaded him to denver…..NO TO HEDO…..TO ONEDEMENSIONAL

by BennieBladesFan on Jun 17, 2009 2:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hedo

By one dimensional, are you saying he only plays offense? If so, then Tay has also become one dimensional in that he only plays defense. Hedo is a more talented player than Tayshaun. He’s a skilled shooter, he can make plays off the dribble with both hands, and he’s an underrated passer. Also his defense can be solid. In his time on Kobe in the FInals, he did just as well as anybody has at slowing the beast. Also he was part of the team that stopped that freight train in Cleveland.

That being said, save the money for the big needs. They got a hole in the middle, so a small upgrade at SF is much less needed than the vast void that is the PF and C positions.

ABC baby, always be closing.

by ALWAYSBCLOSING on Jun 17, 2009 10:12 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

No. I wouldn’t want Hedo over Prince. Prince immortalizes the pistons blue collar spirit and mentality with his defense, consistency and lack of showyness. Hedo has more range offensively but is a year older and is a defensive liability. Also, it will take big bucks to bring him in by the sound of it…did we really get rid of billups to sign Hedo??? no

Maybe, just once, someone will call me "sir" without adding, "you're making a scene.

by HireMattMillen on Jun 17, 2009 8:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

hedo is a good player and the magic will only trade if they cant resign him. /they have already stated they are willin to go over the luxury tax to get him. hedo will be in magic blue next year

by tdfrazi on Jun 17, 2009 2:51 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Hedo would be great for us

GO LIONS! RESTORE THE ROAR!

by Twon82 on Jun 18, 2009 7:37 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Hedo to Pistons

If this would be some kind of trade I actually think it could benefit both teams. The defense that Prince would add will more then offset Hedo’s clutch offense. Prince is a coach on the floor. He tells his teammates what to do to defend pick and rolls. When and who is to switch etc.Orlando never seemed to get Rashard and Hedo going together. Prince has been known to drop 30 on occasion.Hedo’s aggressive offence is something the Pistons need from a forward.While Prince is still in his prime he has played well over an extra season with the Piston’s playoff success and the Olympics. The extra play has taken it’s toll on his energy level in the last couple of playoffs.

by JamesE on Jun 20, 2009 4:57 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Hedo for Prince

This would be great for both teams. Prince has been slowed down by playing to much in Playoffs and Olympics. He has been known to drop 30 on occasion. Prince’s defense would help the Magic. He is a coach on the floor making sure that everyone knows what they are doing on defense. Hedo’s aggressive offense is something the Pistons need from a forward. While Hedo is better offensively, Prince plays an excellent point forward.

by JamesE on Jun 20, 2009 5:11 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs