Magic negotiating buyout with Hedo Turkoglu
The Orlando Magic are progressing on contract buyout talks with forward Hedo Turkoglu, league sources told Yahoo! Sports.
With the Magic working to construct the franchise around a rapidly improving young core, team officials and Turkoglu are eager to part ways.
No buyout deal is imminent, but the sides have been moving closer on possible terms, sources said.
Should an agreement be reached and he clears waivers, Turkoglu will join the free-agent market. The Pacers have had strong interest in the past, but it's unclear if they'd have a roster spot for him. Before the signing of free agent Chris Copeland, the Pacers were a team with interest in Turkoglu, league sources said. Now, Indiana has become a less likely landing spot for him.
Turkoglu, 34, has $12 million left on the final year of his contract, but only $6 million is guaranteed. The Magic are negotiating with Turkoglu to gain some further savings on that $6 million buyout price, sources said.
The NBA suspended Turkoglu for 20 games last season for a positive test for a banned steroid. Between the suspension and injury, he played only 11 games last season.
In his 13-season career, Turkoglu has averaged nearly 12 points a game.
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