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Minnesota Timberwolves: 25 Best Players To Play For The Timberwolves

By Phil Watson

Mar 2, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; A general view of the Target Center during the second half of the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Washington Wizards. The Wizards won 104-98. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; A general view of the Target Center during the second half of the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Washington Wizards. The Wizards won 104-98. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 15, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Nikola Pekovic (14) handles the ball in front of Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter (11) during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 15, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Nikola Pekovic (14) handles the ball in front of Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter (11) during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

86. <strong>How acquired:</strong> Second-round pick (31st overall) from Partizan (Serbia), 2008 NBA Draft.. C. 2010-15. Nikola Pekovic. 8. player

The Minnesota Timberwolves took a shot on Montenegrin center Nikola Pekovic with the first pick in the second round of the 2008 NBA Draft after he had played three seasons for Serbian club Partizan.

Considered to be a first-round talent, Pekovic had signed with Panathinaikos in Greece before the draft. He signed with the Timberwolves In July 2010, briefly returning to Serbia during the 2011 lockout.

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MIN_08_PEKOVIC /

Pekovic was third in the NBA in field-goal percentage in 2011-12, but has struggled to remain healthy in the NBA, missing at least 17 games each season he’s been in the league.

2015-16 was the worst of the bunch from a health standpoint. Pekovic was limited to just 12 games as he struggled to come back from surgery on his Achilles tendon.

He averaged 4.5 points and 1.8 rebounds in 13.0 minutes per game, shooting .380/—/.800.

In six seasons in Minnesota, Pekovic has averaged 12.6 points and 6.7 rebounds in 24.9 minutes per game, shooting .518/—/.760.

He is signed through 2017-18 as part of a five-year, $60 million deal he signed in August 2013.

Next: Undone By Injuries

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