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

Comments (4)

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written by Jason Fleming, July 04, 2009

I see these as a little different, just because Hassell was restricted. On the other hand, since I think both of the outcomes were good things, maybe they are similar. I never could fathom why anyone would give Hassell a six-year contract... As for Joel, that was John Nash's crowning achievement for sure. No one expected much, and Joel played very well. He deserved that contract when he signed it and still deserves it now. In fact, Portland might be getting a steal. Nash did a lot of things wrong, but that one was absolutely right - he alone saw the talent and potential in Joel when he was left as a free agent by the Hawks. Although, to be honest, I was following the Hawks at the time for HOOPSWORLD (yeah, long time ago), and I was impressed by the few games he did play for them, so was quietly hoping for good things. Plus, Joel is just a nice guy. And he boxes, which is intriguing and freakin scary because of his size at the same time.

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written by wmaxey, July 05, 2009

about time you dropped a comment....it's not like you've been busy.

right there with you about trenton. his numbers were shoddy at best. what was nash thinking? good thing he signed joel to save face that offseason.

joel doesn't get enough league-wide love, think we all know that. you know jason, I always hold true to the believe that i don't root for teams, i root for stories. and joel is a great story - and a great guy, which makes it easy for a writer.

dude, you covered the hawks? reminds me when you always assigned me to write about cleveland.

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written by Jason Fleming, July 06, 2009

I started covering the Central for NEWS@ - Bucks and Hawks.

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written by wmaxey, July 07, 2009

you are so old....

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