Wolves Owner Expects Deal With Nikola Pekovic

Of the remaining unsigned free agents, Nikola Pekovic appears to be a lock to receive the largest free agent contract, but there doesn't seem to be a bidding war developing for his services. The Timberwolves remain confident that Pekovic will be back in Minnesota next year, and don't have a sense of urgency to complete a new deal, as team owner Glen Taylor tells Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune.

"My sense is, I think we both know he's going to be playing for our team next year," Taylor said. "I think we're just dealing with an element of time here. I would tell you I'm very positive that he'll play for our team. What we have left isn't something that can't be resolved. There doesn't seem to be a lot of pressure on us or him to get it done. A meet has been set up in the future."

According to Taylor, after the Wolves extended a contract offer to Pekovic, believed to be in the four-year, $48-50MM range, the big man's camp responded with a counter-proposal. The two sides are expected to meet within the next week in hopes of hammering something out.

"I'm confident it'll get done," Taylor said. "I've been through so many of [these] things. You say, 'It's just money, Glen.' I think we'll get it done. He's an important part of our team. He wants to be back and we want him here."

As Zgoda notes, there aren't many teams left that would have interest in Pekovic and the cap space to make him a big, long-term offer. The Bucks are one team that could have the cap room, but they haven't been linked to the 27-year-old at all this offseason. As such, it still appears that it's just a matter of when, not if, the T-Wolves and Pekovic strike an agreeement.

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