Report: Timberwolves waive frequently injured center Nikola Pekovic

After several injury-plagued seasons, the Minnesota Timberwolves have waived center Nikola Pekovic.

Nikola Pekovic had some solid seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves in the six years that he played for them. From 2011 to part of the 2014-15 season, he was the team’s go-to big man. He was a big, strong, and tough center who was able to score and rebound. But he was often injured.

Ever since his NBA debut in October of 2010, Pekovic has never played a full season. In fact, he has never played more than 70 games per season. In 2015-16, he only managed to play 12 games, and he didn’t play a single game in 2016-17.

Because of his reoccurring foot and ankle problems, and regular absences from the court, the Timberwolves have waived Pekovic. The team announced the decision on Tuesday.

In addition to the Timberwolves waiving the center, Pekovic’s NBA career may also be over. According to a report from the Star-Tribune from earlier this year, the team’s owner, Glen Taylor, said that he doesn’t think Pekovic will play again.

Via The Star Tribune:

"Taylor said that Pekovic, who at one point was one of the more unique and bruising big men in the league, might have played his last game due to long-term injuries.“I don’t think so,” he said when asked if Pekovic would play again. “I mean, that’s for him and his doctors but just listening to what the doctors have told me and what he has said, I’m not expecting it in our plans going ahead. We won’t rely on him.”"

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Pekovic, who was a former EuroLeague champion, was the 31st overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, however, he didn’t start playing in the NBA until 2010. In the six seasons that he appeared on the court, he played 271 games and holds averages of 12.6 points and 6.7 rebounds.