Turkoglu Wants To Return To Sacramento

By Justin Worsley

It is already well known that Hedo Turkoglu desperately wants out of Toronto. Last month, the 31-year-old forward requested a trade after one season in Toronto. Apparently he already has his heart set on a new destination.

Yahoo! Sports has reported that Turkoglu wants to return to Sacramento, where he spent the first three seasons of his career. No trade talks have come up between the two teams yet, however, they are expected to talk before the month is over.

Turkoglu had a less than memorable season as a Raptor. After being signed to a five-year, $53 million contract last summer, the Turkish-born Turkoglu failed to perform well and provide support for power forward Chris Bosh, averaging only 11.3 points and 4.6 rebounds per game. He averaged 16.8 points per game in the 2008-09 season as a member of the Orlando Magic.

In 2008, Turkoglu won the NBA's most improved player in Orlando, averaging 19.5 points per game while supporting center Dwight Howard.

Toronto just missed the playoffs last season after going 40-42. Sacramento fared much worse, however, going 25-57, the second-worst record in the Western Conference.

Turkoglu could provide veteran leadership in Sacramento and help the team in the short-run as a power forward until his production completely drops off or until they are able to bring in a younger talent. Sacramento has not made the playoffs since 2006 when they lost to the Spurs in the opening round.