UPDATE: The Lakers Are On The Clock For Turiaf

UPDATE: Ronny Turiaf has officially signed his offer sheet from the Warriors, but I'm hearing that the Lakers will not match it. It seems $17 million over four years is a bit too much to pay for a guy who averaged less than 19 minutes of action. And in the playoffs, Turiaf's playing time was nearly cut in half. Remember when Phil Jackson called him soft?

So it looks to be so long, Ronny!



My Friend Broderick Turner of the Riverside Press-Enterprise is reporting that Ronny Turiaf has agreed to a deal with the Golden State Warriors, who still have cap space even after doing a deal for Corey Maggette.

Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak has said repeatedly this summer that retaining Turiaf and Sasha Vujacic are his top priorities. Both are restricted free agents, meaning the Lakers can match any offer the players accept. Now we find out just how valuable the Lakers believe Turiaf is to their next run at a title.



By BRODERICK TURNER
The Press-Enterprise

Lakers forward-center Ronny Turiaf agreed to a four-year, $17 million offer from the Golden State Warriors, according to two league sources.

Turiaf is a restricted free agent. The Lakers have seven days to match the Warriors' offer.

Turiaf's agent, Mark Bartelstein would neither confirm nor deny the offer from the Warriors.


http://www.pe.com/sports/basketball/breakout/stories/PE_Sports_Local_S_turiaf_09.47b3657.html

LAKERS EXTEND QUALIFYING OFFERS TO SASHA VUJACIC AND RONNY TURIAF

Basically what this means is the Lakers would like to keep both players, for the right money of course. The free-agent period begins tomorrow (July 1st). If either Vujacic or Turiaf agree to a deal with another team, the Lakers can match that offer and retain the player's rights. So now it becomes a bidding war. Is there another team out there willing to pay more than the Lakers for Vujacic or Turiaf?


EL SEGUNDO - The Los Angeles Lakers have extended qualifying offers to restricted free agents Sasha Vujacic and Ronny Turiaf, it was announced today by General Manager Mitch Kupchak.

In accordance with the league’s collective bargaining agreement, these offers establish the Lakers’ right of first refusal. Restricted free agents may sign an offer sheet with any team, but the Lakers have the ability to match any offer.