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(Sports Network) - Sharp-shooting forward Hedo Turkoglu is leaving Orlando for the Great Northwest, reportedly coming to terms on a five- year, $50 million contract with the Portland Trail Blazers.
The Oregonian newspaper reported the contract, although it can't become official until next Wednesday when the NBA's free-agency signing moratorium comes to an end.
The 30-year-old Turkoglu, a first-round draft pick of Sacramento in 2000, had spent the previous five years with the Magic and averaged 16.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.9 assists over 77 games last season. He helped the Magic into the NBA Finals, but last week opted out of the final season of his deal that would have paid him $7.3 million.
Not only that, but the Magic already made a big move to replace Turkoglu by working out a trade with New Jersey for Vince Carter on draft night.
The 6-foot-10 Turkoglu spent his first three seasons with the Kings before joining the San Antonio Spurs for one seasons. For his career, he's averaging 12.3 points and 4.2 rebounds and is a career 38.5 percent shooter from three- point range.
The deal would give Portland a huge front-line going into the 2009-10 season as he would join 7-foot-1 Joel Przybilla or 7-foot Greg Oden at center, and 6-foot-11 LaMarcus Aldridge at the power forward spot.
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