HoopsHype.com Rumors

Emiliano Carchia: Nikola Pekovic said that Darko Milicic has no intention of playing overseas during NBA lockout. Milicic is fishing, one of his main hobbies. Darko Milicic, who is a big fan of Crvena Zvezda (Red Star) also took part at a fishing competition in France without any good result. "Few days ago we were together. As I know, he doesn't want to play during the NBA lockout" said Nikola Pekovic about Darko Milicic Twitter

Minnesota Timberwolves, Darko Milicic, Nikola Pekovic, Lockout 

Jon de la Presa: Partizan signs Nikola Pekovic till the end of the lockout! Twitter

Minnesota Timberwolves, Nikola Pekovic, Lockout, Partizan Belgrade 

According to sources close to the situation, the deal between Partizan Belgrade and Nikola Pekovic is done. The big man from Montenegro will return to the Serbian powerhouse with a one-year contract with NBA out which will allow him to return to Minnesota Timberwolves when lockout ends. Sportando

Minnesota Timberwolves, Nikola Pekovic, Lockout, Serbia, Partizan Belgrade 

Partizan Belgrade's manager Dragan Todoric confirmed the club is negotiation with Minnesota's Nikola Pekovic. b92.net

Minnesota Timberwolves, Nikola Pekovic, Lockout, Serbia, Partizan Belgrade 

Nikola Pekovic is returning to Partizan!? The management of the great Serbian team, which this summer had already done a great job in getting Acie Law, is not far away from securing one more player from the strongest basketball league in the world to put on a black and white jersey -- their ex player Nikola Pekovic. According to uncomfirmed reports, the black-and-whites and the Minnesota player had had extensive discussions during the recent tournament of the ex-Yugoslavian republics. Novosti.rs

Minnesota Timberwolves, Nikola Pekovic, Lockout, Partizan Belgrade 

During those discussions, Pekovic showed great interest in returning to Partizan while the NBA lockout is in effect, but the details are still being worked out. Further, through unconfirmed sources, the completion of the negotiations is expected on Thursday, after which it will become clear if one of the best European centers will once again domaniate in the black and white colors of Partizan. Novosti.rs

Minnesota Timberwolves, Nikola Pekovic, Lockout, Partizan Belgrade 

Nikola Pekovic doesn't rule out returning to Partizan Belgrade during the lockout. Twitter

Minnesota Timberwolves, Nikola Pekovic, Lockout, Serbia, Partizan Belgrade 

After Tracy McGrady, the last rumors on Galatasaray is Nikola Pekovic. The Center from Montenegro spent his first season in NBA with Minnesota Timberwolves with whom has two years left on his contract. As reported to Sportando by Pekovic's agent, Misko Raznatovic, the report is false. Pekovic will stay in the NBA where he is earning a salary that is not affordable by any European team. Sportando

Minnesota Timberwolves, Nikola Pekovic, Lockout, Turkey, Galatasaray 

Howard and Minnesota’s Nikola Pekovic had a testy exchange in the fourth period. After Pekovic whacked Howard across the arms on a post move, Howard grabbed Pekovic’s wrist to slow him down from running the break. Then, after the two nearly came to blows while fighting for a rebound, Pekovic shoved Howard on the other end of the floor and was whistled for a personal foul. ``They have a couple of MMA fighters on their team,’’ Howard said. ``We only have one MMA fighter and that’s me. It was a very physical game. Do we like physical games? Yes, but both teams have to play through it. It is rare when you have players like Pekovic, Darko (Milicic) and (Kosta) Koufos. It is fun, but you just have to learn to play through it.’’ NBA.com

Minnesota Timberwolves, Orlando Magic, Dwight Howard, Nikola Pekovic 

Due to his rejuvenation on and off the court, something surprising has occurred. Milicic has been able to be somewhat of a mentor to Pekovic, which is something appreciated from the rookie. “The basketball is really different than the European. I was playing many years in Europe and wanted to come here to see what it is like and it is totally opposite. I mean, it is the same because you must put the ball through the rim, but many other things are different. It’s great having somebody from our country, especially Darko. He’s a great guy, so it’s really great to have somebody from our country to help me with many things. He can talk to me and help me understand everything about basketball and around basketball. It’s really helped me a lot, he’s a good guy and we hang out a lot.” Downtown Journal

Minnesota Timberwolves, Darko Milicic, Nikola Pekovic 

They may be from the same part of the world, but they stick out in Minnesota. You don’t always get to see the personalities of the players and there are a lot of misconceptions of them. When outside of the public eye, the two seemingly serious players let their hair down and show their teammates and media members a different side to them. “They’re both soft,” said Tolliver. “Anytime I’m around them, I’m sure to give them big hugs and they’re always laughing and smiling. Neither one of those guys are big, tough, stone-faced guys like you see on the court. They have to be out on the court, but off the court they are great guys and a lot of fun to be around.” Downtown Journal

Minnesota Timberwolves, Darko Milicic, Nikola Pekovic 

As youthful and naive as they might be, these Timberwolves possess enough good sense that they already have reached the same conclusion about new teammate Nikola Pekovic. "I'm making him my new best friend," Wolves guard Wayne Ellington said. To hear assistant general manager Tony Ronzone tell it, Pekovic's 6-10, 290-pound body is made as much from tungsten carbide as bone and flesh. Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Minnesota Timberwolves, Nikola Pekovic 

"I don't think nobody has the guts to challenge Pek to a fight, nobody," forward Michael Beasley said. "Pek is 300 pounds, he's 6-10 and he's from Serbia. I don't think nobody wants to challenge him." Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Miami Heat, Michael Beasley, Nikola Pekovic 

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the team has signed center Nikola Pekovic. Per team policy, terms of the contract offer were not disclosed. "We are excited to have Nikola join the Minnesota Timberwolves," said David Kahn, Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations. "Nikola has been regarded as the best center in Europe for the past few seasons and will be a tremendous addition to our club. He is a tough, hard-nosed player who brings an added dimension of physicality to our team. We look forward to him bringing his talents to the United States and the NBA." Minneapolis Star-Tribune

The Serbian set is about to be unveiled in Minnesota. Sources said the buyout from a Greek team was hammered out Tuesday on big man Nikola Pekovic, paving the way for him to join the Timberwolves on a three-year, $13 million contract. Pekovic had been drafted with Minnesota with the first pick of the second round in 2008 (No. 31 overall). FanHouse.com

The 6-11 Pekovic likely would have been drafted much higher in 2008, but his contract situation with the Greek team Panathinaikos caused him to drop Milicic signed a contract with Minnesota earlier this summer that could be worth as much as $20 million over four years. Sources, though, said the fourth year is partially guaranteed, leaving his total guaranteed amount for the deal at $16 million. FanHouse.com

Kahn said he's waiting on 6-11 center-forward Nikola Pekovic to complete a physical before finalizing a contract with the native of Serbia- Montenegro. Kahn said an agreement could be reached next week. Pekovic, a second-round pick of the Wolves in 2008, is eligible to join the Wolves this season after completing his obligations with Panathinaikos Athens in the Euroleague. St. Paul Pioneer Press

David Kahn says he hopes to make an official announcement on the signing of European center Nikola Pekovic (peck-uh-vick) in the next week or so. Kahn made the comments after introducing Michael Beasley on Thursday. Pekovic was the team's second-round draft pick in 2008 and has been playing in Greece for the last few years. USA Today

Minnesota Timberwolves, Nikola Pekovic 

Kahn said Thursday morning he expects to finalize the signings of Darko Milicic and Nikola Pekovic by Sunday and hopes to have rookies Johnson and Lazar Hayward signed by Monday's first summer-league game, although it's not essential he do so by then. Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Minnesota Timberwolves, Darko Milicic, Nikola Pekovic 

Nikola Pekovic confirmed he will play for Minnesota Timberwolves for the next three seasons. "I think that every player has the desire and the ambition to play in the best league in the world. I want to try to play in NBA. I had two fantastic seasons with PAO in which I learned a lot and I improved as a player. Minnesota gave me the possibility to go in USA and I can't say no" said the player who will be flying to the United States to sign the contract (3 years and $15M) but he will be back soon to join Serbian NT training camp. "At the end of Semptember I will be fully a T-Wolves player" finished Pekovic. Sportando

Minnesota Timberwolves, Nikola Pekovic