NBA Power Rankings: All 30 Starting Centers

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Mar 31, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Nikola Pekovic (14) drives to the basket against Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) in the first half at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

12. Nikola Pekovic — Minnesota Timberwolves

When Kevin Love requested out of town, who was the man that was caught smiling? It wasn’t Ricky Rubio, Minnesota’s pass-happy point guard that has been demanding a max contract extension.

It was Nikola Pekovic, who already inked his lucky deal with Glen Taylor last summer.

From Yugoslavia, Pekovic has instantly turned into one of the hottest commodities for an offensive center. In fact, he led all centers in Offensive Real Plus-Minus last season, and some of it can be accounted for Minnesota’s third-highest point per game total across the league. Love, Kevin Martin, Rubio, and Pekovic on the court equals offensive weapons everywhere, but not a substantial amount of defense to stop the Western Conference brutes.

Pekovic’s Offensive Plus-Minus of +1.31 topped Al Jefferson, who was easily the most talented offensive killer in the paint throughout the year.