Timberwolves waive Nikola Pekovic
Nikola Pekovic is no longer a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
There’s probably a joke out there on Twitter somewhere where a user made a hilarious joke about the Minnesota Timberwolves agreeing to a jersey patch deal with Fitbit on the same day that they waived their big man center Nikola Pekovic. Twitter jokes or not, it is true, the Wolves have released Pekovic.
It didn’t take much of a press release to announce the waiving.
Here is the press release from the Timberwolves’ website in full. Seriously.
"The Minnesota Timberwolves announced the team has waived center Nikola Pekovic.Pekovic appeared in 271 games for the Wolves, averaging 12.6 points, on 51.8 percent shooting, and 6.7 rebounds. He was drafted by Minnesota in the second round (31st overall) of the 2008 NBA Draft.More from Minnesota TimberwolvesMinnesota Timberwolves: how Robert Covington has become the T’Wolves’ glueMinnesota Timberwolves: did Jimmy Butler send a veiled diss to his former team?Minnesota Timberwolves: time to cease celebrating the Jimmy Butler tradeMinnesota Timberwolves: enough is enough — Jimmy Butler has to goMinnesota Timberwolves’ Prince-inspired jersey leaked — should you buy one?"
Pekovic played in those 271 games over eight seasons for Minnesota. The 6-11 307 pound center never averaged a double-double in a season, but did have a series of very successful seasons for the Timberwolves. In 2012-13, Pekovic averaged 16.3 points and 8.8 rebounds. In 2013-14, Pekovic averaged 17.5 points and 8.7 rebounds.
The Montenegrin finished in the top ten in three straight seasons in the offensive rebound percentage category, including a first place finish in the 2011-12 season with a 15.8 percentage.
The Star Tribune’s Jerry Zgoda shared some awesome memories of Pekovic after the waiving was announced.
Reminiscing after Pek waived. Fav memory: When I asked what kind he'd be if he were a tree & he asked why he couldn't be a carrot instead
— Jerry Zgoda (@JerryZgoda) June 20, 2017
One more Pek memory: Hanging post-shoot in Mexico City, I hear a soft, sweet voice singing "I Believe I Can Fly." I look & it's Pek
— Jerry Zgoda (@JerryZgoda) June 21, 2017
Also, the Kevin McHale era is officially now dead in Minnesota.
Just FYI: Pek was last player remaining acquired in the Kevin McHale era
— Jerry Zgoda (@JerryZgoda) June 20, 2017
Pekovic had great potential in the league as a very solid center, but injuries derailed his career. Ankle and Achilles injuries all hampered the big man throughout his NBA career which is now probably over after his departure from the Wolves.
Pekovic last played in 2015-16 and that was only in 12 games. Even if healthy, Pekovic probably wouldn’t have played much in the new look Wolves system under Tom Thibodeau.
Next: The Wolves need to stay away from Derrick Rose
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