As the Cavaliers call “virtually every team in the league” to gauge interest in Andrew Bynum‘s pseudo-expiring contract, ESPN.com’s Marc Stein reminds us that the Magic hold a similar trade chip in Hedo Turkoglu. Like Bynum, Turkoglu is on a $12MM contract that is currently only partially guaranteed for $6MM. His salary would become fully guaranteed if he’s not released on or before next Tuesday.
While the two players’ salaries may be similar, there are a few differences in the two situations, as Stein writes. Besides the fact that Bynum, two years removed from an All-Star appearance, has more upside, the Cavs also appear much more willing to take on salary in any trade. Depending on how much time Kyrie Irving misses with his knee injury, the Cavs still seem interested in pushing for a playoff spot, while the Magic would be less inclined to pursue a short-team piece earning significantly more than Turkoglu, such as Pau Gasol.
As for Turkoglu himself, even though he and the Magic mutually agreed he wouldn’t join the squad this year, he continues to work out on his own and remains committed to contributing to an NBA team. According to Stein, the veteran forward “badly wants the chance” to earn minutes somewhere once his situation is resolved. Assuming the Magic can’t find a trade partner within the next few days and waive Turkoglu by Tuesday, the 34-year-old will seek out a new team upon clearing waivers, Stein tweets.