ORLANDO, Fla. — The agent for Hedo Turkoglu told The Orlando Sentinel on Monday that the Orlando Magic small forward will opt out of his contract and become a free agent in two weeks.

“It would make sense for him to opt out,” Lon Babby, Turkoglu’s agent said by phone. “I can’t imagine a scenario in which he would not.”
The Magic, fresh off an appearance in the NBA Finals, will be challenged to keep their core group together with Turkoglu and center Marcin Gortat testing the free-agent waters. The Magic already have tied up Dwight Howard, Rashard Lewis and Jameer Nelson to large, long-term deals.
The club can make the point moot if they re-sign Turkoglu before he officially announces he will opt out of his contract on June 30, the first day would-be free agents can declare.
The Magic have wanted to avoid paying the punitive luxury tax, but team president Bob Vander Weide said recently that the club could change that stance to accommodate Turkoglu.
Babby had no comment on that development.
Turkoglu is scheduled to make $7.3 million next season in the final year of a six-year, $36 million deal.
Babby expects the market for Turkoglu — a versatile 6-10 forward who can run an offense — to be “robust.”
Babby is expected to speak with Magic General Manager Otis Smith in the coming days.
“I think Hedo distinguished himself in this playoff run. He’s in a different spot than he was before the playoffs began,” Babby said.”He’s a rare player, a unique player who helped take a team to the Finals. He’s grateful for the opportunity he has been given. He’s enjoyed his time in Orlando. It’s a solid organization, a team on the rise. Hedo will weigh his options.”
Gortat, who made just $770,000 this season, can become a restricted free agent. It is believed that several teams will make a run at him, with the Magic likely being unable to match an offer.