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Rumors have run wild that Orlando Magic free agent Hedo Turkoglu is the main target of the Portland Trail Blazers this free-agent season. The Blazers are in need of veteran leadership and help at the small forward position, but I'm not sure that Turkoglu is the answer. Turkoglu was extremely effective with the Magic this postseason, but that doesn't mean he's the right piece for the Blazers. If I were the Blazers, I would target Lakers free-agent small forward Trevor Ariza.
Turkoglu had an amazing postseason, showcasing his ball-handling and playmaking skills from the small forward position. As well, he hit a ton of clutch shots throughout the playoffs. These are great attributes that any team would be happy to have on board, but it's not necessarily what the Blazers need.
Turkoglu needs the ball in his hands to thrive. Everyone knows that the Blazers offense is going to run through Brandon Roy. Turk is not the kind of guy who can just sit behind the three-point line and wait for the ball to come to him. Turk is also on the wrong side of 30. I've never been a fan of giving long term deals to non-elite perimeter players over the age of 30.
In contrast, Trevor Ariza does not need the ball in his hands to be effective. On offense he gets his points by slashing to the bucket, picking up garbage put-backs around the rim and hitting spot-up 3s. Also, he's an absolute defensive stud that would help the Blazers in their struggles of guarding some of the league's quicker PGs. He's also only 24 years old.
On top of that, stealing Ariza away from the Lakers would weaken the Blazers' toughest conference foe.
On Wednesday, Ariza's agent came out saying something about Ariza bleeding purple and gold. We all know that this is just agent speak for "show me the money." No matter how much Ariza prefers to play in L.A., a Turkoglu-type offer from the Blazers would make Ariza and his agent think twice about all of that purple and gold talk.
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