Hedo Turkoglu to become a free agent

Hedo Turkoglu will delve into the free-agent market on July 1, quickly testing whether the Orlando Magic can keep a core of key players together who led the club to an appearance in the NBA Finals.

A day after losing the title series to the Lakers, the agent for Turkoglu told the Orlando Sentinel on Monday that the Magic small forward would 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.”

Magic General Manager Otis Smith said he was not surprised by Turkoglu’s pending decision and likes the franchise’s chances of re-signing him.

“Turk likes it here, so I think the chances are good,” Smith said.

Turkoglu and other players can officially become free agents July 1.

Babby expects the market for Turkoglu -- a 6-foot-10 versatile forward who can run an offense -- to be “robust.”

Several general managers and agents in the NBA think that the Portland Trail Blazers -- a rising club like the Magic -- might offer the stiffest competition to sign Turkoglu.

Turkoglu, 30, who has one year left at $7.3 million on his six-year, $36-million contract, is thought to be asking for at least $10 million a season.

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Ivey declines option

Philadelphia 76ers guard Royal Ivey has declined his player option for the 2009-10 season and has become an unrestricted free agent.