Minnesota T-Wolves Blog – Page 44 – NBA Blog

Nikola Pekovic, Wolves agree to five-year, $60 million deal

The Timberwolves concluded a summer of spending by reaching agreement Wednesday with restricted free-agent center Nikola Pekovic on a five-year, $60 million contract, one that includes as much as $8 million more in performance-based incentive clauses, according to a person with knowledge of the deal.

Six weeks after negotiations formally started and six weeks before training camp begins, the Wolves re-signed a player whom new President of Basketball Operations Flip Saunders has maintained all along was his top summertime priority.

Pekovic, too, all last season said he wanted to return to the Wolves, who selected him in the second round of the 2008 draft.

Wednesday morning, the two sides finally came together to keep the 27-year-old Pekovic with the Wolves through 2018, barring a trade of course. There are no player or team options in the contract.

Reported by Jerry Zgoda of the Minneapolis Star Tribune

Minnesota Timberwolves agree to re-sign Nikola Pekovic for big money

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the team has reached an agreement in principle on a contract with restricted free-agent center Nikola Pekovic. According to ESPN.com, the deal is “five-year pact worth $60 million and potentially up to an additional $8 million in incentive-related bonuses.”

“Retaining Pek was our No. 1 priority this offseason and we’re very excited that he’s chosen to continue his career in Minnesota,” said Wolves President of Basketball Operations Flip Saunders. “Thanks to a lot of hard work and determination, Pek has developed into one of the NBA’s premier centers and is entering the prime of his career. We envision Pek and Kevin Love being the ‘Bruise Brothers’ and forming one of the best front courts in the NBA for a long time to come.”

Pekovic, 27, continued his development into one of the top centers in the NBA last season by setting single-season career highs in scoring (16.3 ppg), rebounding (8.8 rpg) and minutes (31.6 mpg). In 62 games, all starts, the 6-11 center finished 20th in the NBA in field goal accuracy at 52.0%, while shooting 74.4% from the free throw line. Pekovic collected a team-high 26 points/rebound double-doubles last season, including 11 games with 20+ points and 10+ rebounds. He became the first Wolves player in over four years to be named Western Conference Player of the Week when he averaged 25.0 points, on 58.9% shooting, and 8.5 rebounds in four contests from April 1-7.

In 174 NBA games, 108 starts, Pekovic owns career averages of 11.6 points and 6.2 rebounds in 23.6 minutes per contest. The Wolves originally selected the Montenegro native with the 31st overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft.

A press conference with Pekovic and Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations Flip Saunders will be announced at a later date.

Kevin Martin says signing with Timberwolves was an easy decision

Given that professional basketball players spend most of their careers singing odes to the prospect of winning championships, moving on from an NBA title contender to a youthful team trying to establish itself looks, on the face of it, like a tough shift.

But new Timberwolves shooting guard Kevin Martin sat at the podium at Target Center on Monday, introduced in person to the Twin Cities media for the first time since signing in July, and repeatedly declared his optimism for the move, his new home and the prospects of a team that has built an intriguing core.

“I don’t think our goal is just to make the playoffs — that would be a mistake to sit up here and say that’s our ceiling or things like that,” Martin said. “This team is built to do more than that. … The foundation has been laid, so now it’s our job to work hard every day and establish a family atmosphere in that locker room. … This was a very easy decision for me to come up here to Minnesota.”

No doubt, the four-year, $28 million contract Martin signed also had something to do with the sudden interest in a team that has missed the postseason for the past nine years. But Martin also divulged a little of what it means to have the opportunity to get back to a situation that makes more sense for him as a player.

Reported by Amelia Rayno of the Minneapolis Star Tribune

Wolves rookie Shabazz Muhammad starts pro career with misstep

Timberwolves guard Shabazz Muhammad was sent home from the NBA’s Rookie Transition Program, reportedly for violating a rule by bringing a female guest to his hotel room.

The story was first reported by USA Today. Muhammad, the 14th overall pick in the 2013 draft, will be fined and required to return to finish the program next year.

“We have been made aware of the circumstances surrounding Shabazz Muhammad’s dismissal from the NBA’s Rookie Transition Program in New Jersey,” said Flip Saunders, the Wolves president of basketball operations, in a team news release. “The team fully supports the NBA’s rules and policies in all matters pertaining to this situation and we will abide by the league’s action.”

Reported by Kent Youngblood of the Minneapolis Star Tribune

Kevin Durant and Kevin Love will keep playing for Team USA Basketball

USA Basketball Chairman Jerry Colangelo and USA Basketball Men’s National Team head coach Mike Krzyzewski (Duke University) announced at the conclusion of today’s National Team mini-camp in Las Vegas, Nev., that Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder) and Kevin Love (Minnesota Timberwolves), winners of gold medals at the 2010 FIBA World Championship and 2012 London Olympics, had confirmed they planned to be part of the USA Basketball National Team program through 2016 and will participate in next year’s FIBA Basketball World Cup that will be held Aug. 30-Sept. 14, 2014, in Spain.

“Kevin Durant and Kevin Love have officially announced that they will be a part of our future going forward, including the World Cup next summer, and it means a great deal to us because of how committed they are to our program and we are very appreciative of their early commitment,” said Colangelo when speaking to media following Wednesday’s USA National Team mini-camp practice. “We think it will certainly send a message to some of our other guys, who have indicated they are interested, and so we are very excited.”

“To represent your country, you can’t really take that for granted, so I knew last summer I was going to commit and play this next World Cup,” said Durant, who averaged a U.S. team high 19.5 points per game at the 2012 Olympics and who was named MVP of the 2010 World Championship after posting 22.8 points a game. “I’m looking forward to the opportunity, man, playing against the best in the world with the best in the world, so it should be fun.”

The 6’10” Love, who averaged 11.6 points and a team leading 7.6 rebounds per game during the 2012 Olympics, echoed Durant’s comments, stating, “K.D. mentioned it, just being a part of USA Basketball has meant a lot for my career. I’ve been a part of the World Championship team in 2010 and the 2012 Olympic Team in London, just coming off of last summer and then heading forward, just being a part of the family. Jerry and Coach keep mentioning being part of the USA Basketball family, and heading forward we are looking for bigger and brighter things.”

“It’s an exciting day and no more appropriate time to do it than when we are also adding this influx of new, young talent,” said USA and Duke University mentor Krzyzewski. “For these veterans, although they are not old guys yet, for these veterans to make that commitment is a huge step. You have gold medal winners in two events. Both of them were 21-year-old guys when we won in Istanbul (2010 FIBA World Championship) and then at 23 they won gold medals (in the 2012 London Olympic Games). They now are the leadership. They are part of the leadership of our program, and they’ve been committed. Kevin (Durant), this is the first camp that we’ve been involved in that he hasn’t been a participant. So, he started when we as 17. He (Kevin Love) started when we was young. It’s the program that Jerry has started since he took over, and it’s paying a lot of dividends. So, it’s an exciting day for USA Basketball; a big day.”

The announcement came in Las Vegas following the final USA National Team mini-camp practice session. The mini-camp, which opened July 22, will close with the 2013 USA Basketball Showcase, a blue-white intra-squad game on Thursday, July 25, 6 p.m. PDT at the Thomas & Mack Arena on the campus of UNLV.

Kevin Martin feels he brings a championship tone to Timberwolves

Kevin Martin didn’t realize how mediocre his NBA experience was until last season with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The new Timberwolves shooting guard had played on competitive teams in Houston and Sacramento, but an organization with an NBA-Finals-or-bust attitude was uncharted territory.

“It’s just a special atmosphere when your team has a championship tone in that locker room,” Martin said in a conference call Saturday afternoon. “That’s one thing I feel like I bring.”

Martin ended up with the Thunder last year after the Rockets made him part of a trade for superstar James Harden. Because of salary and luxury cap restrictions, it was unlikely Oklahoma City could have afforded Martin’s return this season. The Wolves swooped in for a sign-and-trade deal that was made official July 11.

Reported by Alex M. Smith of the St. Paul Pioneer Press

Minnesota Timberwolves sign Ronny Turiaf

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the team has signed free-agent center Ronny Turiaf. According to the Associated Press, it is a two-year deal with $3.2 million.

“We’re excited to welcome Ronny to our team,” said Flip Saunders, Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations. “Ronny is a physical, aggessive defender and a good passer. He’s a solid pro who will help us with his experience and veteran leadership.”

In 2012-13, Turiaf, a 6-10 center, averaged 1.9 points, 2.3 rebounds and 10.5 minutes in 65 games for the Los Angeles Clippers. He appeared in five playoffs contests, averaging 3.2 points and 1.6 rebounds.

Turiaf, 30, is a native of France and played collegiately at Gonzaga. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in the second round (37th overall) of the 2005 NBA Draft. Turiaf played three seasons with the Lakers, posting his best numbers in the 2007-08 campaign with a career–high 6.6 points and 3.9 rebounds per game. He signed as a free agent with Golden State prior to the 2008-09 season and averaged 5.9 points, and career-highs of 4.6 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game that year. After two years with the Warriors, Turiaf was traded to New York where he played one season, averaging 4.2 points and 3.2 rebounds. He was traded to Washington prior to the 2011-12 season and dealt to Denver on March 15, 2012. The Nuggets waived Turiaf and he signed with Miami on March 21, 2012. Turiaf appeared in 12 games during the Heat’s run to the championship in 2012, posting averages of 3.5 points and 4.5 rebounds.

Corey Brewer surprised yet happy to be back with Timberwolves

“I was a little surprised [to be brought back],” Brewer said. “But I was happy about having the opportunity to come back to Minnesota for a second round.

“I was happy when I was there. It was just a tough situation with all the turnover. I felt like I had new teammates every year and a new coach every year,” he said. “So hopefully there’s some stability now to come back and play for a good coach like [Rick] Adelman and a bunch of good players.”

Since being traded by the Wolves, Brewer was with the Knicks for two days before being waived, then played for the Mavericks and Nuggets. How did he feel about moving around the past few years?

“As a player, you learn a lot moving around like that,” Brewer said. “I got to play with some good players, especially going to Dallas and being able to win a championship playing with players like Shawn Marion and Jason Kidd, Jason Terry, Dirk Nowitzki. I had the opportunity to play in Denver with a bunch of good players. I think my game got a lot better.”

Reported by Sid Hartman of the Minneapolis Star Tribune

Chase Budinger excited about return to Timberwolves

On Saturday morning, on a conference call from San Diego, still sleepy from just having awakened, Chase Budinger talked about how excited he was to be coming back to the Minnesota Timberwolves this fall.

For a number of reasons.

He likes the additions Wolves president of basketball operations Flip Saunders has made. The trades, the signings, the draft. He likes the fact that, from the start, the Timberwolves made it clear they wanted Budinger back. And, of course, he loves playing for Wolves coach Rick Adelman. Put that all together and Budinger – who signed a three-year, $16 million deal to come back to the team, said he chose opportunity over money to return.

“It really wasn’t that hard a decision for me,” Budinger said. “The only thing, though, is I did have an offer out there that was worth more money. I did give up money to come back to Minnesota. If anyone knows the type of guy I am, I’m a cheap kind of guy. So giving up money is always tough. But I knew, coming back to Minnesota was the best choice, the best opportunity for me. The best place to grow as a player, and for us to win. To make the playoffs. We’re a young team, and we can grow together.”

Reported by Jerry Zgoda of the Minneapolis Star Tribune

Corey Brewer is back on the Minnesota Timberwolves

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the team has signed free agent guard/forward Corey Brewer.

“We are excited to bring Corey Brewer back to the Timberwolves,” said Flip Saunders, Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations. “Corey is a quality defender and has improved his all-around game during his six years in the NBA. We believe he will fit our system really well and we look forward to watching him in a Wolves uniform again. ”

In 2012-13, Brewer, 27, averaged 12.1 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 82 games for Denver. He tallied 20+ points 11 times, including a career-high 29 points in a win vs. Philadelphia on March 21. In six playoff games with the Nuggets, Brewer averaged 10.8 points and 1.8 rebounds.

Brewer was drafted by the Timberwolves in the first round (7th overall) of the 2007 NBA Draft. In his six seasons in the NBA with Minnesota (2007-11), Dallas (2011) and Denver (2011-13), Brewer has averaged 9.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.3 steals in 386 games (168 starts). In his rookie season with the Wolves in 2005-06, Brewer appeared in 79 games and averaged 5.8 points and a career-high 3.7 rebounds. He only played in 15 games in 2008-09 due to a knee injury. Brewer came back in 2009-10 to have one of his best seasons, averaging a career-high 13.0 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists. He was traded by the Wolves to New York on Feb. 22, 2011 as part of a three-team trade. He was waived by the Knicks and signed with Dallas on March 3 for the remainder of the season. Dallas traded Brewer to Denver prior to the 2011-12 season.

Brewer will wear uniform No. 13 with the Wolves.