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Minnesota Timberwolves rumors: Will Wolves trade Nikola Peković?

By Andrew Melnick

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
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 /
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With the play of Gorgui Dieng last season, many have speculate the Minnesota Timberwolves could make him the starting center and trade Nikola Peković.

Nate Duncan of Basketball Insiders doesn’t see trading Peković as a good move – at least not yet.

"I’m not sure that in the short term a Pek trade helps a ton. We don’t know that Dieng, while he was solid in the box score last year, is quite ready to play solid NBA scheme defense yet. And based on last year, Anthony Bennett absolutely is not. So if Pek is traded, the frontcourt rotation of Dieng, Young, and Bennett probably isn’t good enough. It is also somewhat unlikely given the paucity of wings around the league that Pek could be traded for someone who is going to be an enormous upgrade from what they have on the wing–especially not someone who can really be part of the future in Minnesota. (they wouldn’t trade Pekovic otherwise.) So I do not really foresee this happening at least in the short-term. Maybe it will be revisited next offseason."

If the Timberwolves are going to completely embrace their youth movement, trading Peković isn’t  a bad idea.

Peković averaged 17.4 points and 8.7 rebounds while shooting 54.0% from the field and 74.7% from the free throw line. In his four-year career, the 31st-overall pick in the second round of the 2008 NBA Draft, has put up 13.0 points and 6.8 rebounds per game while shooting 53.5% from the floor and 74.7% from the charity stripe. As a rookie last season, Dieng, the 21st-overall pick in the first round of the 2013 draft, went for 4.8 points, 5.0 rebounds and 0.8 blocks in just 13.6 minutes per game while shooting 49.8% from the floor and 63.4% from the free throw line.

Be sure to check FanSided’s official NBA page to keep up to date on the latest news and rumors from around the league as we get you ready for the start of the 2014-2015 season.

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