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Charley Walters: The Timberwolves have every intention of re-signing restricted free agent Nikola Pekovic. 27. Twitter

Minnesota Timberwolves, Free Agency, Nikola Pekovic 

Would the Cavs go for broke with free agents like Utah center Al Jefferson or Minnesota center Nikola Pekovic? The 6-10, 289-pound Jefferson made $15 million this season. Pekovic, a 6-11, 290-pounder, had a breakthrough year in 2012-13 with 16.3 points and 8.8 rebounds. He made $4.6 million this season, and could vault up to the $8 million-$10 million range. The Cavs probably won't take on that kind of commitment from either player, even though they desperately need scoring from the post. They might pursue free-agent role players like Matt Barnes or Corey Brewer to round out the roster. News-Herald

Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Utah Jazz, Free Agency, Al Jefferson, Matt Barnes, Nikola Pekovic, Corey Brewer 

Restricted free agent Nikola Pekovic's camp isn't upset with David Kahn's dismissal. However, the ultimate call on whether to pay Pekovic $12 million a year on a long-term deal will be Taylor's. That negotiation will be as fascinating as any to follow. 1500 ESPN

Minnesota Timberwolves, Free Agency, Nikola Pekovic, David Kahn 

Plans for next season? Nikola Pekovic: "I am now without a contract. I said I'd love to stay in Minneapolis, but it does not depend on me. It's still early, the season is not over, so it's early to enter negotiations, but there will be interest." Mondo

Minnesota Timberwolves, Free Agency, Nikola Pekovic 

Would a good financial offer make you return to Europe? Nikola Pekovic: "No, certainly not." Mondo

Minnesota Timberwolves, Free Agency, Nikola Pekovic 

Steve Kyler: What you want to do and what you can do are often two entirely different an unrelated things. The Blazers want to add some veteran guys that can defend… to me that is Nikola Peckovic or Javale McGee in terms of possibly obtainable. HoopsWorld

Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Portland Trail Blazers, Javale McGee, Nikola Pekovic 

Kahn hopes to re-sign center Nikola Pekovic and forward Chase Budinger, both of whom become free agents on July 1, and persuade Andrei Kirilenko to return for the second year of his two-year contract. St. Paul Pioneer Press

Minnesota Timberwolves, Free Agency, Nikola Pekovic, Andrei Kirilenko, Chase Budinger 

“Finesse was never my better side,” said Pekovic, who has missed 18 games this season and hasn’t played the past two games because of a bruised calf. “All my basketball life, like I like to say, my basketball is not really nice for watching, but it is really effective.” Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Minnesota Timberwolves, Nikola Pekovic 

Sikma believes Pekovic will get more foul calls and fewer shots blocked if he moves his game just a bit beyond the basket, where all the pushing and shoving obscures officials’ vision. “Pek’s the Army, he’s never going to be the Air Force,” Sikma said. “It’s always going to be trench warfare for him. You’ve still got to use your head a little more. Pek has established his ‘A’ game, but he has to establish a ‘B’ and ‘C’ that he can go to, and it’s not going to be easy. It’s going to take some time in the gym and it has to be something that Pek buys in to. “Pek’s strength is going to his strength, so now he’s going to be trying some other things that maybe he’s not comfortable with. You don’t want to change his mindset, but definitely some time has to be spent expanding that game.” Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Minnesota Timberwolves, Nikola Pekovic 

Pekovic said there is no doubt that he wants to return to Minnesota next season and far beyond. His coach is certain of that, too, although another team could complicate the process with a huge offer. “I tell you now — whoever’s listening — I want him back,” Adelman said. “That’s what I’d like. We have to have some consistency. We cleaned a lot of people out last year, but we now have a core group who can be pretty good if we just stay healthy, and he’s certainly one of those guys.” Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Minnesota Timberwolves, Nikola Pekovic 

PP: Are you expecting a tough negotiation with Pekovic, who could command as much as $14 million a year in the free agent market? Glen Taylor: I want him to stay, and he has told me he wants to stay. It's to our advantage to try and work something out with him. We know and he knows he's able to test the market. When he tells me he wants to stay, I take him for his word, but agents play a big role in all of this. PP: Will you personally get involved in Pekovic's negotiations if necessary? GT: It's not the way we would start out, but if it means getting a quicker and fairer deal done, I would. This is a very important deal for us. St. Paul Pioneer Press

Minnesota Timberwolves, Free Agency, Nikola Pekovic, Glen Taylor 

New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony and the Minnesota Timberwolves big man Nikola Pekovic have been named Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, April 1 through Sunday, April 7. The Knicks are on a 12-game winning streak, and Anthony led them to a 4-0 week. He averaged a league-best 41.8 points and became just the second player in team history, Bernard King was the first, to score 40-or-more points in three consecutive games. USA Today Sports

Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks, Carmelo Anthony, Nikola Pekovic 

Charley Walters: To-be restricted free agent Timberwolf Nikola Pekovic says he wants "100 percent" to remain in Minnesota. Twitter

Minnesota Timberwolves, Free Agency, Nikola Pekovic 

People who know say there is no chance of the Timberwolves not signing center Nikola Pekovic to a contract extension. Pekovic, 27, who is averaging 15.9 points and 8.8 rebounds, can become a restricted free agent after the season. The Wolves, though, can match any offer and retain him. The 6-foot-11, 281-pounder is being paid $4.6 million this season and can expect to at least double that per year on a new deal. St. Paul Pioneer Press

Minnesota Timberwolves, Free Agency, Nikola Pekovic 

Do you want Pekovic to re-sign? Has he talked to you at all about it? Kevin Love: Oh yeah. Pek is a guy … I don’t want to say he’s a recluse or a shut-in, but he's the type of guy who, when he has something and he likes it, he kind of sticks with it. He likes being around this team, and he's familiar with us. Grantland

Minnesota Timberwolves, Nikola Pekovic, Kevin Love 

Jon Krawczynski: Pek and Kirlienko will not play the rest of the week. Will be re-evaluated on Monday. Twitter

Minnesota Timberwolves, Nikola Pekovic, Andrei Kirilenko, Injuries 

Darren Wolfson: Pek update from a source: MRI today didn't show anything. But he's still in pain (abdominal injury). His return date is TBD. #twolves Twitter @DarrenWolfson

Minnesota Timberwolves, Nikola Pekovic, Injuries 

Jerry Zgoda: Pek visited the Suns training room after the game and was looked at by Suns doctors. Not sure what issue is, will know more at practice Wed Twitter @JerryZgoda

Minnesota Timberwolves, Nikola Pekovic, Injuries 

Pekovic's camp has been given verbal assurances he's staying put for now, but nothing beyond that. A team source still scoffs at the notion that Pekovic is worth $11 million/year on a long-term deal. But whether it's the Wolves or a different team, it's inevitable he's getting that this summer. 1500 ESPN

Minnesota Timberwolves, Nikola Pekovic 

Kahn's top priority at this point is to add a two-guard/small forward with size. But there is truth to his interest in Denver center Timofey Mozgov, a restricted free agent this coming summer who played with Kirilenko and Wolves guard Alexey Shved on the Russian Olympic team. "They like Mozgov," a league source said. "They think he is a better value than Pek (Nikola Pekovic). They would let Pek go in free agency (this summer). They still may pursue Mozgov in free agency." 1500 ESPN

Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Free Agency, Trade, Nikola Pekovic, Timofey Mozgov