Nikola Pekovic agrees to 5-year, $60M deal with Timberwolves
Wolves free agent center Nikola Pekovic agreed to a five-year, $60 million deal to remain in Minnesota. (David Sherman/Getty Images)
After nearly two months of negotiations, Timberwolves free agent center Nikola Pekovic has agreed to stay in Minnesota on a five-year deal worth $60 million. The contract was first reported by ESPN's Marc Stein, who added that Pekovic will receive up to $8 million in additional incentive-related bonuses.
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In 31 minutes per game last season for the Wolves, the 27-year-old third-year center averaged 16.3 points and 8.8 rebounds in 62 games. Earlier in August, Pekovic had passed up an opportunity to play for his native Montenegro in the EuroBasket championship next month because he reportedly wanted to focus on getting a deal done with the Wolves and didn't want to risk an injury that would jeopardize a potential contract.
With All-Star Kevin Love back next season after a year marred by injuries, the Wolves will look to improve upon their 31-51 record last season with a healthy core of the 6-foot-11-inch Pekovic, guards Ricky Rubio and Kevin Martin, swingman Derrick Williams and rookie Shabazz Muhammad.
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