Maybe Turkoglu Can Play for 2 Teams

For 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.

Anyway, Turkoglu wasn't available Friday night to comment on the situation, and agent Lon Babby didn't immediately return an e-mail to straighten out the mess.

Turkoglu, the highly-sought-after free agent from Orlando, was reported by ESPN to have reached an agreement with the Trail Blazers Friday afternoon. Despite the fact several outlets confirmed the news, the National Post in Canada reported a few hours later that Turkoglu was close to an agreement with the Toronto Raptors.

It looks like Turkoglu, who flew to Portland on Thursday and spent Friday there, will be playing next season for either Portland or Toronto. Turkoglu has been looking for a five-year contract worth an estimated $50 million. The Magic, who traded for Vince Carter last week, decided they couldn't afford to re-sign him and never made him an offer close to the other two teams.

According to one news source, the Raptors can offer him $6 million more than the Trail Blazers if they first renounce the rights to Shawn Marion, Anthony Parker and Carlos Delfino.

Neither Portland general manager Kevin Pritchard nor Babby ever confirmed that an agreement had been reached, according to the Oregonian newspaper. No contract can be signed until Wednesday.