Restricted free agent center Nikola Pekovic.
Nearly two weeks into free agency, the pool of available high-end talent has dwindled.
Among the available, unsigned free agents is center Nikola Pekovic.
Pekovic is a quality big man who fits the player personnel and works well within Rick Adelman’s system in Minnesota. However, the two sides have yet to agree to a new contract.
Timberwolves sharp-shooter Chase Budinger is among the contingent who are awaiting a resolution.
Whats the news on Pek?
— chase budinger (@CBudinger) July 15, 2013
The Timberwolves want him back. That much we do know.
For those of you interested in getting an answer to the question posed by Budinger, here’s what we know at this time.
Nearly a week ago, Yahoo! Sports Adrian Wojnarowski was reporting that the Wolves and Pekovic were working on a four-year deal.
Minnesota, Nikola Pekovic getting closer on a four-year, $50 million contract extension, league sources tell Y! Sports.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 10, 2013
If that report was accurate, that’s deal is nothing to sneeze at. That’s $12.5 million per year.
Atlanta Hawks All-Star forward-center Al Horford makes less.
However, it seems that Pekovic’s camp is holding out for more money. As Minnesota Star Tribune Timberwolves writer Jerry Zgoda explained to a curious fan on Sunday.