| 04 July 2009
We shouldn’t really be surprised that Hedo Turkoglu did Portland dirty.
We shouldn’t be surprised since this whole courting Hedo escapade by the Blazers felt downright forced from the get-go. We shouldn’t be surprised because handshake and verbal deals in this league don't mean jack. And we shouldn’t really be surprised because in some ways Portland has seen this fugitive charade before.
It was five years ago.
The proposed deal wasn’t as bloated. The free-agent wasn’t as overpriced. His meeting in Portland was not as overhyped. But an agreement was in place nonetheless by the Blazers and said player.
Portland wanted him. He wanted Portland.
It’s Trenton Hassell all over again.
Back in mid-July 2004, then General Manager John Nash had serious discussions with the 6’5 free-agent forward from Minnesota. The guy was labeled a defensive stopper. The Blazers loved him. He loved what the Blazers were about, and days later signed a 6 year, $26.1 million offer sheet with Portland knowing Minnesota had 15 days to match the offer.
At that time, Maurice Cheeks believed Hassell (who plays for the New Jersey Nets these days) was just what the Blazers needed, leaving Hassell’s agent Mark Bartelstein to say, "Trenton has got a good opportunity with Portland.”
Nash thought he was coming. Cheeks did too. Same with Hassell.
Ten days later Minnesota matched Hassell's 6 year, $26.1 million offer sheet with the Trail Blazers.
Heartbreak.
Much like today, the Blazers were left scrambling and wondering where such failed negotiations would lead. Portland didn’t get Hassell and they won’t get Hedo - even though they had him for one day. He's Toronto bound now.
Only more proof this free-agent signing wasn’t meant to be. Yet this is where Kevin Pritchard and Tom Penn will really earn their paychecks, hoping to show they are more than draft gurus. As the saying goes, make your next move your best move.
They’ll bounce back from this. They’ll back bounce from “He-do” to “He-don’t”.
They bounced back from Trenton Hassell.
How do you think Joel Pryzbilla arrived in Portland in late August 2004 as a free-agent?
pic via: daylife
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