In a deal that has been an entire offseason in the making, Nikola Pekovic and the Minnesota Timberwolves have agreed to terms on a new contract.
Wolves GM Flip Saunders announced it first on Twitter.
#wolvesnation. We have agreed to terms with Pek.
— Flip Saunders (@Flip_Saunders) August 14, 2013
Why did Flip take to Twitter first? “To beat you guys,” he said to the media in an afternoon conference call announcing the signing.
ESPN’s Marc Stein added terms of the deal just seconds after Saunders confirmed the news.
This just in: I'm told Nikola Pekovic and Wolves have agreed to five-year deal worth $60 million
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) August 14, 2013
Sources with knowledge of deal say contract will also include up to $8 million in additional incentive-related bonuses for Pekovic
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) August 14, 2013
Saunders, playful throughout the press conference, added: “Pek loves Minnesota. What other guy stays in Minnesota over the All-Star break to go ice fishing.”
Pekovic joins Chase Budinger, Corey Brewer, and Kevin Martin as key non-rookie signees for the squad that has not seen the playoffs since the 2003-04 season. At least one of his teammates is thrilled to have him back.
https://twitter.com/RealDwill7/status/367718573721935872
Saunders holds Pekovic in the highest regard, also saying re-signing “one of the premier centers in the league entering (his) prime” was a top priority, according to Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune.
Saunders also made sure to put nervous Wolves fans at ease, saying “our deal with Pekovic in no way hinders other potential deals with Ricky Rubio and/or Kevin Love.”
