Flip Saunders and the Timberwolves made some roster moves aside from drafting Shabazz Muhammad and Gorgui Dieng this week.
Saunders and the Wolves extended a one-year qualifying offer to center Nikola Pekovic. Even if Pekovic turns down the offer, Minnesota can match any offer he receives in free agency.
“We feel that we’re going to get Pek back,” Saunders told the Pioneer Press.
On Friday, the Wolves excercised their one-year option on forward Dante Cunningham.
“It was important for us to bring Dante back,” Saunders said in a statement. “We all saw last year how he fits in really well with coach (Rick) Adelman’s style and system. His versatility, energy and ability to knock down the open jumper are all reasons we feel he is an invaluable piece to our team. We are excited to have Dante back for next season.”
We’ll learn sometime within 24 hours if forward Andrei Kirilenko will exercise his player option. According to the Pioneer Press, Saturday is the deadline for him to decide if he wants to test free agency or return to the Wolves for one-year at $10.2 million.
