Hedo Turkoglu wanted one last NBA contract, a chance to play three more games and reach 1,000.
But not even the Kings would take him.
So, the 36-year-old is calling it quits.
Jordan Heck of Sporting News:Former Magic star Hedo Turkoglu announced his retirement Friday morning.
“I am very thankful and grateful for the opportunity to live out my dream and play in the NBA,” he said in a statement. “I will always remember my teammates, coaches, staff members and all of the fans who made my career so wonderful for myself and my family.”
Turkoglu had an eventful and interesting NBA career.
The Kings drafted him No. 16 in 2000, and he spent three seasons in Sacramento and then one with the Spurs after being traded for Brad Miller.
He signed in 2004 with Orlando, where he had his best seasons. Turkoglu won Most Improved Player in 2008 for averaging 19.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game. He impressed at point forward with Jameer Nelson injured, dominating the ball in the Magic’s 2009 run to the NBA Finals.
Turkoglu agreed to sign with the Trail Blazers in 2009 but backed out to sign a five-year, $53 million contract with the Raptors – DeAndre Jordan before DeAndre Jordan.
Things didn’t go well in Toronto, though. Turkoglu missed a game due to a “stomach virus” and then went clubbing that night. Fans turned on him, and Turkoglu demanded a trade. Toronto sent him to the Suns, Turkoglu agreeing to lower his guaranteed salary as a condition of the trade. That made it easier for the Magic to waive his albatross contract in 2014 after he wound up back in Orlando.
In 2013, he was suspended for using steroids.
Turkoglu spent his final two seasons coming off the bench for the Clippers.
The Kings will probably name him head coach or general manager or something tomorrow.