Nikola Pekovic has signed a three year deal with Minnesota Timberwolves. The center from Montenegro spent the last two years in Greece with Panathinaikos averaging 14.3ppg and 3.8rpg in the Euroleague 2009/10 and 12.2ppg and 3.7rpg in Greek league.
Pekovic has been drafted by Wolves in 2008, as the first pick in the second round (31). His contract of 12.960.000 USD and guaranteed bonuses of 550.000 USD, with total value of 13.510.000 USD is the biggest first NBA contract for any European player, drafted in the second year, in the history of NBA. Comparing with the first round picks, coming out of USA, Pekovic s contract is the second largest in history, and only Bargnani managed to get slightly bigger contract. Italian player was drafted number 1 and total value of his 3 years contract was 14.511.520 USD, comparing with Pekovic s 14.010.000 USD (the team had to pay 500.000 USD transfer-buy out fee), what makes the difference of 3,5 percents. Pekovic will join Wolves after the end of qualification for European championship with national team of Montenegro, and travel to USA, around 18th of September.
And from Chris Tomasson at AOL Fanhouse:
The Serbian set is about to be unveiled in Minnesota. Sources said the buyout from a Greek team was hammered out Tuesday on big man Nikola Pekovic, paving the way for him to join the Timberwolves on a three-year, $13 million contract. Pekovic had been drafted with Minnesota with the first pick of the second round in 2008 (No. 31 overall).
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