Timberwolves Re-Sign Restricted Free-Agent Center Nikola Pekovic
The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the team has re-signed restricted free-agent center Nikola Pekovic. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
"Pek is a dominating offensive player who plays extremely hard and is one of our key pieces," said Wolves President of Basketball Operations Flip Saunders. "With Pek, Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio, we've got three cornerstones of the franchise that all complement each other. Pek, Kevin and Ricky all have the ability to be in the top 5 in the league at their respective positions."
"I'm happy to be returning to Minnesota and the Timberwolves," Pekovic said. "I've enjoyed my time here and am looking forward to our team improving and getting into the playoffs."
Pekovic, 27, continued his development into one of the top centers in the NBA last season by setting single-season career highs in scoring (16.3 ppg), rebounding (8.8 rpg) and minutes (31.6 mpg). In 62 games, all starts, the 6-11 center finished 20th in the NBA in field goal accuracy at 52.0%, while shooting 74.4% from the free throw line. Pekovic collected a team-high 26 points/rebound double-doubles last season, including 11 games with 20+ points and 10+ rebounds. He became the first Wolves player in over four years to be named Western Conference Player of the Week when he averaged 25.0 points, on 58.9% shooting, and 8.5 rebounds in four contests from April 1-7.
In 174 NBA games, 108 starts, Pekovic owns career averages of 11.6 points and 6.2 rebounds in 23.6 minutes per contest. The Wolves originally selected the Montenegro native with the 31st overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft.