Raptors confirm acquisition of forward Turkoglu

TORONTO — The Toronto Raptors confirmed their acquisition of forward Hedo Turkoglu on Thursday, perhaps the most significant free agent addition in the team's history.

The 6-foot-10 forward was one of the most coveted free agents available, coming off a season in which he helped the Orlando Magic reach the NBA finals.

The nine-year NBA veteran appeared poised to sign with the Portland Trail Blazers last Friday before Raptors general manager Bryan Colangelo swooped in and nabbed the Turkish forward.

Turkoglu's agent Lon Babby said the player and his wife Banu were intrigued by Toronto's ethnic diversity, including a large Turkish community.

Turkoglu opted out of his contract in Orlando when the team acquired Vince Carter from New Jersey. Turkoglu was due $7.3 million next season, the final year of a $36-million, six-year deal with the Magic.

He averaged 16.8 points and 5.3 rebounds last season, and has averaged 12.3 points and 4.2 rebounds over his career, which included stints with Sacramento and San Antonio before he signed with Orlando as a free agent in 2004.

Turkoglu is a 38.5 percent shooter from 3-point range.

He'll join a team that already has a distinctly international flavor, with Jose Calderon of Spain, Croatia native Roko Ukic, and Italian centre Andrea Bargnani, who agreed to a five-year contract extension Wednesday.