Fast Break

NBA

Lakers say bye to Turiaf

With great reluctance, the Los Angeles Lakers decided at Friday’s deadline they wouldn’t match Golden State’s offer for Ronny Turiaf, meaning the former second-round draft choice will move up the California coast to play for the Warriors.

“There are emotional ties with Ronny that go beyond basketball,” Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said on a conference call. “I think that makes it difficult. I think organizations that draft players who turn out to be good players, it’s hard for them to let go of those players. And if you know Ronny, you know he’s a special kid.”

The Warriors signed Turiaf, a restricted free agent, to a four-year, $17 million offer sheet last week. By rule, the Lakers had seven days to decide whether to match it. The three-year veteran from Gonzaga averaged 6.6 points and 3.9 rebounds in 78 games with the Western Conference champions last season, making 21 starts.

The Lakers played much of last season without starting center Andrew Bynum, giving Turiaf the opportunity for more playing time than he would have had otherwise. But Bynum is expected to be healthy when training camp begins in early October, and Turiaf’s opportunities figured to be diminished, Kupchak said.

Kupchak said he met with Turiaf for about an hour Thursday.

“It was a very emotional meeting because he loves the city, he loves the organization, there are certain bonds here,” Kupchak said. “He feels it’s in his best interests to move on. The last thing you want is a young player like Ronny – no matter what he’s being paid – is being on the bench at 25 years old and not playing.”

Basketball

WSU has 16 home games

Washington State announced a men’s schedule that includes 16 games at Pullman and a “home” game at Seattle’s KeyArena.

The Cougars open the season with their first appearance in the Legends Classic as they host two games at Beasley Coliseum’s Friel Court (Nov. 15 and Nov. 18) with teams to be announced.

Other dates include a home game against Gonzaga on Dec. 10, the Cougar Hardwood Classic in Seattle against Montana State on Dec. 13, a road game at Idaho on Dec. 20 and their final non-conference game on Dec. 27 at LSU.

The Cougars open Pac-10 play with a Jan. 3 home game against Washington.