Hedo Turkoglu is one of the most amiable, easy-going players you'll ever meet. He would be happy playing on Mars, Pluto or Saturn, which is why his decision to recant his verbal acceptance of a five-year, $50 million deal from the Portland Trail Blazers leads one to believe that his wife was a major factor in the about-face. ESPN's Ric Bucher is reporting that Turkoglu, who was very popular during his three seasons with the Kings, in fact reneged on his agreement with the Blazers because his wife, Banu, preferred that the couple relocate to Toronto, an international city with a sizable Turkish community. Plus, living in the East cuts the roundtrip visits back to Istanbul almost in half. While I haven't spoken to Hedo in a few weeks, when we chatted before his former Orlando Magic lost to the Lakers in the NBA Finals, he mentioned that family considerations would be a large factor in his free agency. His daughter, Ela, was born in February. I think Bucher is probably right. I feel badly for Hedo, though, because his reputation is going to take a hit for taking the Blazers for a ride. (Think Carlos Boozer). Well, at least he will be well-compensated. He is expected to earn an additional $3 million from the Raptors.
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