By Ted Carlson
July 5, 2009 12:21pm CDT

Hedo Turkoglu didn't make any fans in Portland. The free agent forward added some flair to the NBA free agency period by spurning a verbal commitment with the Trail Blazers in order to sign with the Raptors. The talented small forward, who helped the Magic reach the NBA Finals in June, also hindered his chances of gaining a ring. The Trail Blazers are a rising power in the West, while the Raptors are an inconsistent club wondering about the future of their top star.

Turkoglu, 30, averaged 16.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.7 threes in 2008-09, and he established career-highs with 19.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 2.0 threes in 2007-08. He is one of the few NBA talents who can offer such balanced production across those four categories. Low steal totals and poor field goal percentage keep Turkoglu from being a fantasy star, but he is a top-50 talent.

He agreed to a five-year, $53 million deal with the Raptors. The expiring deals of Shawn Marion, Anthony Parker, and Carlos Delfino helped to open up the cap room, and the Turkoglu addition will add another chapter to the Raptors' biggest ongoing storyline - Will Chris Bosh return? Bosh is expected to opt for free agency after the 2009-10 season, and he has said that he will not sign a contract extension this summer. Will this addition entice Bosh to consider sticking in Toronto beyond next summer?

In 2009-10, Turkoglu and Bosh will be the centerpieces on a squad that will also feature big man Andrea Bargnani and point guard Jose Calderon. We have little doubt that Bosh will continue to produce his typical numbers, and he could become even more effective as Turkoglu draws attention away from the superstar. The fantasy picture could also be bright for Turkoglu, Bargnani and Calderon, if general manager Bryan Coangelo has his way.

Coangelo was groomed in the Suns front office when his father was the owner. He resigned in February 2006 and joined the Raptors organization. Coangelo brought visions of the high-octane, run-and-gun offense that the Suns employed under coach Mike D'Antoni. It turned the Suns into the fantasy world's favorite squad and helped Steve Nash earn two MVP awards.

With Bosh, Turkoglu, Bargnani and Calderon, the Raptors and coach Jay Triano have the base for such a running style. Turkoglu will push Bargnani permanently to center and will take some playmaking opportunities away from Calderon, but if the Raptors turn to an up-tempo offense, those shifts won't matter. Calderon will continue hang out near the top of the assist leaderboard, and Bargnani could continue his transformation to a 18 or 19-point scorer and a rare fantasy center who knocks down threes. On paper, that foursome could turn into fantasy gold if they mesh well.

The Raptors have huge holes and questions behind those four starters. Rookie guard DeMar DeRozan may fill out the starting lineup, and top bench options include Reggie Evans, Kris Humphries, and Roko Ukic. If the Raptors truly want to run a Suns-style offense, they will need more shooters off the bench. Coangelo may not be done wheeling-and-dealing, though.

Meanwhile, the spurned Blazers will bitterly move along. Turkoglu would have given them more firepower next to rising superstar Brandon Roy and promising big man LaMarcus Aldridge. The Blazers went 54-28 last season, and they would have been a contender with Turkoglu. The franchise still has a lot of cap space, and they may now turn their attentions to David Lee, Lamar Odom or Andre Miller.