Turkoglu makes sense, but do the Celtics have the cents?

By Brendan Hall
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Making the rounds on the airwaves and blogs this morning is the news that Orlando Magic forward Hedo Turkoglu will opt out of his contract and become a free agent on July 1. That's nothing but music to the ears of Celtics fans, who would no doubt love to have a quintessential Celtic-killer in Celtics colors next season.

Believe me, I'm all for it -- in the tradition of Wes Welker, if you can't beat 'em, sign 'em. Having a guy like Turkoglu in your arsenal is win-win. This is a guy who can fill multiple spots in the frontcourt, can create plays on the wing, and has a deadly shot from long range. You can also run an offensive set through him -- can you imagine Rajon Rondo and Turkoglu in transition together? You could honestly run a secondary break.

But it's not that simple. The Celtics are going to have to clear some serious room for this guy.

With some help from HoopsHype.com, here's how the salaries break down next season...

-- Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett are on the books next year for more than $55 million combined. Garnett is signed through 2011-12, Ray Allen comes off the books in 2010, and Pierce has a player option for 10-11.

-- Kendrick Perkins is on for $4.5 million, while Brian Scalabrine and Tony Allen are on for 3.4 and 2.5, respectively. All three come off the books in 2010.

-- Eddie House has a player option for 2.8 million. Rajon Rondo is on for 2.6, with a qualifying offer of 3.7 for 10-11.

-- J.R. Giddens is on for 1 million, while Bill Walker is on for 730,000. Both have team options for 10-11 and 11-12.

-- With Stephon Marbury, Leon Powe, Glen Davis and Mikki Moore all entering free agency, that brings the payroll to $73 million.

Turkoglu's option was set to pay him $7.3 million next season. I predict he's going to want somewhere in the 10-millon-a-year range at least.

Let's assume the Celtics aren't braindead and decide to part ways with Marbury and Moore. Should the Celtics go after Turkoglu, either Davis or Powe now becomes expendable. The question is, is it worth it? Davis had a breakthrough season, enough that he should command starter value on his contract. Powe showed alot of promise before his season-ending knee injury. Scalabrine isn't going anywhere, because he will draw minimal trade value.

If you stick with Davis, and land Turkoglu, you could be looking at a payroll of close to $90 million, which is Knicks-like in luxury tax damage. Powe might be more cost-efficient, but at this point, what's the difference between five and 10 million? And aren't the Celtics one of the five most lucrative franchises in the league? If there's any franchise out there that defines "recession-proof" in this city, it's the C's. If you disagree, you haven't been to a game since 2007.

Seven bona fide starters on your roster? Sounds good to me.