Flip Saunders says new Pekovic deal doesn’t affect future deals for Ricky Rubio, Kevin Love

Minnesota Timberwolves president Flip Saunders says the new deal for Nikola Pekovic doesn’t affect any future deals with Ricky Rubio and Kevin Love.

Pekovic agree’d to a five year contract worth $60 million contract earlier today, as posted by fellow writer Bryan Rose.

The size of the deal Pekovic agree’d to led to some immediate questions about the Timberwolves ability to lock up their other two superstars with long-term deals. Saunders doesn’t seem to have much concern as he was highly complementary of Love and Pekovic’s compatibility.

Back in January of 2012, Kevin Love, who in my opinion the best power forward in the league, signed a four year $62 million contract extension. A deal that Love could opt out of after the 2014-2015 season, while Rubio can become a restricted free agent that summer.

I think the trio of Rubio, Pekovic and Love are players they could build a successful team around. So if they have the money available and are smart, they lock up both Rubio and Love when they are eligible to walk from the team. Rubio is definitely a rising star in this league, and as I said with Love being the best forward in the league, could do big things for this franchise in the future.

But higher ups in an organization are known to say one thing, then turn around and do another. If that’s the case, one teams mistake will be another teams treasure.