Lakers Decline Offer Sheet; Turiaf Joins The Dubs
Facing a deadline to match an offer sheet to Ronny Turiaf from Golden State, the Los Angeles Lakers reluctantly passed and the rugged forward is now officially a Warrior. Los Angeles faced a difficult choice in that bringing back the popular Turiaf would have pushed them in to the luxury tax area, effectively doubling the 4 year, $17 million dollar deal he signed with Golden State.
Turiaf should provide excellent depth at Center/Power Forward for Coach Don Nelson. His high-energy style and willingness to use his physicality will give the team a dimension it sorely lacked last season. For the Dubs, the additions of Turiaf and Corey Maggette will eat up the majority of the money freed up by Baron Davis' defection, and still leaves them in a position of needing to re-sign Monta Ellis and Andris Biedrins. If the team intends to make a move for a veteran point guard, it will likely come via a trade of someone like Al Harrington.
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