Toronto Raptors: 6 worst free agent signings in team history

1. Hedo Turkoglu

Not only is Hedo Turkoglu the worst signing in Toronto Raptors history, he might also be the most reviled player in Raptors history. That’s what happens when you publicly call out the franchise that signed you to a life-altering deal.

Toronto didn’t acquire the small forward in a straight-up free agent deal, instead bringing him via the sign-and-trade route, giving up Shawn Marion and other assets in the process. Turkoglu then signed a five-year, $52.8 million deal with the team.

A season after averaging 16.8 points per game with the Orlando Magic (and two seasons after winning Most Improved Player honors), Turkoglu was quickly revealed to be a shell of his former self. During the 2009-10 season, Turkoglu averaged just 11.3 points per game, his worst output in six seasons, back from when he wasn’t a starter.

There were tales of him being thorny to deal with and having a poor work ethic and it all came to a head towards the end of March, when Turkoglu was benched after spending a night at the clubs, when he should’ve been home nursing a reported stomach virus. Two months later, he bashed the franchise’s management in a Turkish interview and asked out, a wish that was granted during the offseason when he was traded to the Phoenix Suns for Leandro Barbosa and Dwayne Jones.

Turkoglu is now the president of the Turkish Basketball Federation. Even a decade after his tumultuous time in Toronto, Turkoglu likely wouldn’t be welcomed back to the city with open arms today.