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Maybe Turkoglu Can Play For 2 Teams

Hedo TurkogluFor awhile Friday, it sounded like Hedo Turkoglu was trying to become an NBA double dipper, playing for two different teams at the same time. Or like one of those traveling salesmen who quietly kept different wives in different cities.

And maybe he thought since the teams -- Portland and Toronto -- are in different countries, he might be able to slip by. You could just imagine that sly smile of his as he nodded yes to both teams.

Unfortunately, it doesn't work like that. Either Turkoglu got cold feet or several news organizations got it wrong.

Celtics Reportedly Offer MLE to Rasheed

Rasheed WallaceThe Boston Celtics' courting of Rasheed Wallace culminated with a contract offer, according to the Boston Globe, believed to be for two years at the mid-level exception, approximately $5.8 million.

Wallace, formerly of the Detroit Pistons, has his share of suitors and is in no hurry to make a decision. Orlando and San Antonio have expressed interest in Wallace, who re-signed a five-year, $57 million deal with Detroit in July 2004. The Pistons decided to allow Wallace to walk and agreed to deals with Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva. Free agents aren't allowed to officially sign until July 8.

Magic Say Goodbye to Gortat

The Orlando Magic will say goodbye to backup center Marcin Gortat, unwilling to match the offer sheet that he will sign next week with the Dallas Mavericks. The price, they have decided, is too high.

The Mavericks and Gortat agreed Thursday to a multi-year offer that starts at the $5.6 million mid-level exception. He made an estimated $800,000 last season, serving as the backup to All-Star Dwight Howard.

Although the Magic liked Gortat – a restricted free agent – they have only nine players under contract for $67 million. The luxury tax, a dollar for dollar penalty designed to control league spending, is expected to start at $68 million next season. The Magic still have to sign at least four players, which makes bringing back Gortat almost cost prohibitive.

Artest Project Will Keep Lakers On Top


Years ago, this would have constituted franchise suicide. Years ago, when Ron Artest was attacking fans and and facing spousal-abuse charges and firing obscene gestures and qualifying as the NBA's scariest menace to society, you wouldn't wish him upon your most despised team. But even the unhinged grow up eventually, which is why I dare say the Los Angeles Lakers have made a monumental statement in signing the sort-of-reformed problem child.

Blake Griffin: The Clippers Are Going to Be Explosive

Elie Seckbach, the Embedded Correspondent, brings his exclusive video reporting to FanHouse. Check back regularly for more videos.

The Los Angeles Clippers and their fans could not presently be any happier. Last week, they added an outstanding player in Blake Griffin, who was, of course, the first overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft. In this FanHouse exclusive, we talk to Blake about his new team and his expectations. We also hear from Eric Gordon, former NBA stars Sean Rooks and Michael Cage, and Clippers assistant general manager Neil Olshey.

Check out the video after the jump.

Report: Portland Lands Hedo

Update: Hedo may not be headed to Portland after all -- reports now suggest he ended negotiations abruptly and will sign with the Raptors.

Henry Abbott of TrueHoop is reporting that the Blazers have landed top free agent Hedo Turkoglu for the princely sum of $50 million (or more) over five years. Hedo had been the expected target of Portland's largess before the Magic acquired Vince Carter. That move made this move rather logical from every perspective.

... well, except the perspective that it's unclear exactly why Portland needs a ball-dominant small forward. After all, the Blazers do have one Brandon Roy, eternal All-Star, under contract. And with Roy dominating the ball this season, the Blazers finished with the league's finest offense. In terms of offense, this is a bit like the Lakers adding Ron Artest: sounds good on the surface, but when you look at the details, you get a bit worried.

Phil Jackson Confirms He'll Return

Phil JacksonShortly after the Lakers' championship run, Phil Jackson admitted that he'd like to return to the sidelines for the final year of his contract but couldn't commit until doctors put him through a series of medical tests. He did so this week, and he was given the thumbs up.

"After consulting with Lakers team internist Dr. John Moe, I feel confident that I can gainfully pursue an NBA season with another long playoff postseason. All things point to go!" Jackson said in a statement posted on the Lakers official site.

Lakers Learned From Previous Champs

Ron Artest and Trevor ArizaThere is a reason nothing stays the same in the NBA. It's never good enough -- even at the top.

What the Los Angeles Lakers learned from the previous four NBA champs – Detroit, Miami, San Antonio and Boston -- was that the status quo will just get you beat the next season.

It's why there have been no repeats lately.

By landing Ron Artest to replace Trevor Ariza -- a huge upgrade -- the Lakers did what others before them didn't do. They got better after they won.

Rockets Triple-Threat of Yao, McGrady and Artest Short-Lived

Tracy McGrady, Yao Ming and Ron ArtestThe Boston Celtics aligned their three stars and rode them all the way to a NBA championship in 2008.

The Houston Rockets hoped to do the same when they added unpredictable yet talented Ron Artest with their superstar duo of Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming last summer. But a year later, their dream has unraveled.

McGrady and Yao are sidelined with potentially career-threatening injuries and Artest left Thursday in free agency, heading to the world champion Los Angeles Lakers to join forces with Kobe Bryant for a three-year deal.

Allen Iverson One of Five People To Think Memphis Sounds Nice

Allen Iverson needs to lay low for a while.

After establishing himself as a potential Hall of Fame guard, with offensive skills never before seen in the league and establishing himself as a perennial winner who's only flaw was that he was surrounded by insufficient backup, the last year has done a lot to tarnish that reputation. After being traded to Detroit he was an outright disaster, unable to find his place in the offense or in the locker room. Meanwhile the guard he was traded for, Chauncey Billups, lead his team to the Conference Finals.

As a free agent this summer, Iverson needs to go somewhere quietly and rebuild his image, much the same way that his old coach Larry Brown has in Charlotte. But it might be another small market team Iverson ends up with. One that now features an... eclectic makeup of personalities.

Iverson might be headed South for the Winter.

RoundCast: Breaking Down Artest to L.A.

Bloggers knee-jerking on the phone + roundtable style = RoundCast. One of the biggest moves of this free agent season went down on Thursday, when it was learned that Ron Artest will be heading to the Lakers. Matt Moore and I break down what is ...

Mavs to Call Magic Bluff on Gortat

The Dallas Mavericks are about to call the bluff of Magic general manager Otis Smith. A day after Smith said that he planned to match any offer for restricted free agent Marcin Gortat, the Mavs brought the Magic's backup center to town, hoping he ...

Ariza Taking Artest's Place in Houston

Well, the Houston Rockets didn't waste any time getting back at the Los Angeles Lakers for nabbing Ron Artest. According to two reports, the Rockets are discussing a deal with free-agent forward Trevor Ariza, who was likely nudged out of Los Angeles ...

Artest in L.A. Could Most Hurt Gasol

As we all attempt to grok Ron Artest: Los Angeles Laker, much will (rightfully) be made of the strange relationship Kobe Bryant and our antihero Artest enjoy. Off the court, the stars claim to be best friends. On the floor, there has been some ...

Rumors Swirl Rubio May Stay in Spain

While most NBA draft picks are preparing for summer league play in Orlando and Las Vegas next week, rumors continue to swirl that Ricky Rubio may wait a year -- and perhaps even longer -- until he makes the jump to the NBA. According to El Periodico, ...



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