5 Players Who Should Be on the Pacers Trade Deadline Wish List
By Adam Lukach
Nikola Pekovic
The Montenegrin center doesn’t seem to be part of the Timberwolves’ future plans, and he’s in the second year of a five-year, $60 million contract extension. As a salary swap, he’s one of the few available players who would work with someone like Hibbert, and he would actually somewhat fit the Pacers’ style as well, since he’s a true back-to-the-basket center who can score the basketball.
Pekovic’s numbers are down this year, but he’s battled injuries and the Timberwolves are not very good anyway. His ability to score consistently on the block would add another option for this team’s offense.
He doesn’t bring Roy’s defensive presence, obviously, as few do, but Vogel has shown his system is sound at that end, and Pekovic would benefit from Indiana’s plus-defenders at other positions.
The T-Wolves also have other young players — like Anthony Bennett or even Shabazz Muhammad — who could be available in any swap, which would be very appealing to the Pacers.
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