The Minnesota Timberwolves have agreed to a 5-year, $60 million dollar deal with big man and Nikola Pekovic. Pekovic was a restricted free agent.
The Timberwolves were reportedly looking for a 4-year deal at $12 million per season, while Pekovic and his agents were rumored to be looking for 5-years at $15 million per year. The two sides appear to have agreed to a compromise at the team suggested annual salary for the player suggested term of the contract.
The deal will also include up to $8 million in incentive-related bonuses, to bring Pekovic closer to the money he was looking for should he perform at a high level for the Timberwolves.
“Retaining Pek was our No. 1 priority this offseason and we’re very excited that he’s chosen to continue his career in Minnesota,” Flip Saunders said, in a statement released by the team. “Thanks to a lot of hard work and determination, Pek has developed into one of the NBA’s premier centers and is entering the prime of his career. We envision Pek and Kevin Love being the ‘Bruise Brothers’ and forming one of the best front courts in the NBA for a long time to come.”
The 27-year-old, 6’11” center/power forward averaged 16.3 points and 8.8 rebounds in 31.6 minutes per game last season.
Pekovic apparently didn’t get a lot of outside interest as it was well known that the Timberwolves would match any reasonable offer for his services. Going forward this deal certainly indicates that he is being placed as a big part of their future.
Pekovic was a 2nd round pick of the Timberwolves in 2008. The Montenegro native came to the NBA for the 2010-11 NBA season and has spent his entire three year NBA career with Minnesota.
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