Earlier this week Nikola Pekovic said at a press conference in Serbia that he’s mentally exhausted in his rehab efforts. He added that he can’t even run anymore without feeling pain.
According to ESPN’s Marc Stein, the Timberwolves are expected to pursue a medical retirement for their 31-year-old center after Jan. 31, which will mark one full year since Pekovic last played in an NBA game.
So what does medical retirement mean?
Well, Pekovic is still owed $11 million next season from the five-year contract he signed in 2013.
If the Timberwolves are granted the medical retirement, they’ll still pay him the $11 million he’s owed, but it won’t count against the team’s salary cap for next season.
That could help the team sign someone in free agency or lock up players on their roster.
Pekovic averaged just under 17 points per game from 2012-2014, but he’s never been able to play more than 62 games in the regular season.
He’s yet to play in a game this season and he played in just 12 games last year.
