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NBA: 20 Players Looking To Shed ‘Injury-Prone’ Label In 2016-17

By Gerald Bourguet

Feb 21, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe (2) is defended by Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) during the second quarter at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 21, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe (2) is defended by Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) during the second quarter at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 23, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Nikola Pekovic (14) tries to hold onto a pass as Memphis Grizzlies center Ryan Hollins (20) defends him in the second quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports /

18. Nikola Pekovic

You’d expect a guy who’s played a grand total of 97 games over the last three seasons to be much higher up the list, but let’s be honest: Does anyone really expect Nikola Pekovic to suddenly put together the first healthy season of his career in 2016-17?

It was only three years ago that Pek was putting up 17.4 points and 8.7 rebounds per game for the Minnesota Timberwolves in the best season of his career. But he’s never played more than 65 games in a single season of his six-year NBA career, and that season came as a rookie back in 2010-11.

With the Timberwolves looking more like Timberpups as they embrace a youth movement, Pekovic isn’t really needed anymore. Minnesota has Karl-Anthony Towns and Gorgui Dieng to look forward to, which is why it wasn’t a huge loss when Pekovic missed 70 games with an Achilles issue last year.

But with two years and $23.7 million left on his contract, Pekovic is essentially deadweight, even if he finally does get healthy. At this point, it may be all but impossible for Pekovic to restore his trade value, because even if he stays on the floor, the Wolves’ main focus will be feeding minutes to KAT and Dieng.

Next: No. 17