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Hedo Türkoğlu to be highest-paid Turkish athlete
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In this file photo Hedo Türkoğlu (C) puts up a shot between Portland Trail Blazers center Joel Przybilla (L).
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Turkish basketball player Hidayet “Hedo” Türkoğlu, whose contract with the National Basketball Association's (NBA) Orlando Magic expired recently, may be on his way to the Portland Trail Blazers, who have made an offer of $50 million for five years, which, if accepted, will be the most ever paid for a Turkish athlete.
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After meeting with Portland coach Nate McMillan in New York the previous day, Türkoğlu traveled to Portland with his agent on Thursday to have talks with executives of the West Coast team. Portland manager Kevin Pritchard and several executives welcomed Türkoğlu at the airport with banners and Turkish songs. Speaking with reporters upon his arrival at the airport, Türkoğlu said he would stay in Portland for two days and make a decision shortly. "I want to be in the NBA for five more years and play with a young, talented and successful team just like Portland," he said. "My manager has received several offers since I became a free agent on July 1. I may visit other cities as well, but I am currently in Portland to get to know my colleagues here," he added. On the other hand, ESPN reported that the NBA's Toronto Raptors were also interested in Türkoğlu and that its executives were planning to make a $60 million offer to the player. Türkoğlu is a Turkish professional basketball player who is currently a free agent in the NBA. Türkoğlu stands 6 feet 10 inches (2.08 meters) tall and is a versatile player who has played four positions, from point guard to power forward, during his career. He now most often plays the small forward position. Türkoğlu was selected with the 16th pick by the Sacramento Kings in the first round of the 2000 NBA Draft, coming from Efes Pilsen in İstanbul. In 2003, he was traded to the San Antonio Spurs and later signed with the Orlando Magic in 2004. On April 28, 2008, Türkoğlu was given the NBA's Most Improved Player Award for the 2007-2008 NBA season.
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TODAY'S ZAMAN WITH WIRES
İSTANBUL
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