Evening News: Kobe has “shattered” normal recovery timetable; Pekovic seeking $15 million annually

Hello and welcome to the Evening News.

As the offseason continues, we’ll keep you updated every night.

What’s happening today?

Kobe Bryant has “shattered” normal recovery timetable

NBA.com’s Jonathan Hartzell reports that Kobe Bryant is well ahead of schedule for a return from the torn achilles injury he suffered last April. 

Historically, NBA players have needed at least 6-9 months to recover from torn achilles injuries. Bryant, however, believes he might be able to return to full contact drills as early as the start of Lakers’ training camp.

Bryant attributes the expedited rehabilitation process to an original surgical procedure:

“The surgical procedure was different […] and because of that the recovery has been different,” Bryant said in the southern city of Shenzhen. “The normal timetable for recovery from an Achilles, we’ve shattered that. Three-and-a-half months I can already walk just fine, I’m lifting weights with the Achilles just fine and that’s different. So we don’t know what that timetable is going to be. It’s kind of new territory for us all.”’

Bryant, who turns 35 at the end of the month, will be entering 18th season in the NBA. While the superstar seems extremely optimistic about his recovery, the Lakers will certainly need to err on the side of caution. Isiah Thomas’ career was cut short at the age of 32 after he tore his achilles.

With the Western Conference looking as competitive as ever, it makes little sense for Bryant to risk further injury by rushing back to the court.

Still, if the superstar feels as though he can help the team win, no one in Los Angeles will be able to keep him off the court.

Pekovic seeks $15 million annual contract

According to 1500ESPN.com, restricted free agent Nikola Pekovic is now asking for $15 million annually from the Timberwolves.

Minnesota and Pekovic’s agent, Jeff Schwartz, have been in talks for the past month yet are still far apart in negotiations. Timberwolves president Flip Saunders appears unwilling to budge from the sizable four year, $48 million offer that was extended to Pekovic’s camp last month.

Schwartz, who also happens to represent Kevin Love, knows it’s in Minnesota’s best interest to stay on good terms with him.

While Pekovic remains unimpressed with the Wolves’ offer, the reality remains that the center’s only true leverage in negotiations is his option to sign a one year qualifying offer worth $6 million dollars. If he were to sign the qualifying offer, he would be set for unrestricted free agency next summer.

Still, for a player with as much injury history as Pekovic, leaving at least $42 million on the table is an extremely risky proposition.

I expect Pekovic to reach a longterm agreement with the Wolves in the next few weeks. Don’t be surprised if the deal includes several performance-based incentives that could increase the total value of the contract.