Rasheed Wallace has reportedly chosen to sign a 2 year deal with the Boston Celtics instead of the Orlando Magic. The Orlando Magic were reported to be very interested in Wallace but Sheed wasn’t interested in playing with the former Eastern Conference Champions who recently acquired Vince Carter.

As if that wasn’t enough heartbreak for the Orlando Magic, Howard The Dunk reports Turkoglu turns down a Magic deal. The Magic reportedly offered Hedo Turkoglu a deal worth $45 million over the course of five years. Instead, Hedo will head up North to Toronto where he will play for the Raptors. And I’m with Raptor talk in this one. I too will enjoy laughing at Shawn Marion’s expense. He must now find a team willing to pay him the mid level exception.

As most of you know players can’t sign with teams until the 8th of July but the teams and players can still negotiate deals. Today there were a lot of talks between teams, here is what went on in case you missed it!

Ron Artest agreed to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers. Some rumors are that he will sign a $18 million deal over 3 years others say he will sign a $33 million over 5 years. A big question will be if Kobe and Artest can get along, a lot was made about their rivalry in the playoffs.

Artest had this to say: Full Story

Hedo Turkoglu has reportedly decided to opt out of his contract with the Orlando Magic despite Vince Carter joining the team. In many ways you had to expect it would happen.

The Orlando Magic are expected to go beyond the luxury tax line for the first time in franchise history. Hedo has looked good on the court this season and is looking to get paid. Hedo was expected to opt out of his contract but some thought that the Vince Carter acquisition would change his mind. Full Story

The Magic’s Hedo Turkoglu may be leaning towards opting out of his contract at the end of the 08-09 season.

If he chooses to remain under his current 6 year, $39 million contract he will earn about $7.3 million in the 09-10 season.

“If I’m coming out, I’m coming out for one reason — to secure myself, my family. Not wait for the NBA lockout and stuff. The only reason I’m making that decision — if I decided that — is not to worry about another year,” Turkoglu said.

“Listen, the market is going to be bad, anyway, this year or the next year. I’m just thinking about doing my best for this team and go from there.

“I just don’t want to go through this stuff again and have to worry about injuries and lockouts and other stuff … and just have a clear mind. Just knowing that I’m secure for another four or five years and just focus on my game.”

If Turkoglu leaves the Magic, that would presumably allow Rashard Lewis to move back to his more natural position (SF). The question then would be who would play PF if they don’t sign a PF in free agency, maybe Tony Battie, but he is injury prone and may not be able to play heavy minutes, or Marcin Gortat could be an option, but he could leave for Europe.

Another option is the could get a player through the draft, trade or Free Agency.

Or they could start French swingman Mickael Pietrus at SF and keep Lewis at PF.

Hedo has had a good career with the Magic by winning a Most Improved Player award and this season he’s averaged 16.8 ppg, 5 rebs and 5 ast.