Timberwolves' Pekovic acknowledges playing days may be over

Minnesota Timberwolves big man Nikola Pekovic admitted his NBA playing days may be finished.

"Two years ago I struggled with my (foot) injury, I was mentally exhausted," the 30-year-old said at a press conference in Serbia this week, as quoted by Eurohoops.

"This year I was there (with the Timberwolves) for two months, I tried to do everything possible, but there are times when you simply can't. I cannot run without pain."

The Timberwolves announced in September that the Montenegrin - who played just 12 games last season - would miss the entirety of 2016-17. In 271 career games, Pekovic has averaged 12.6 points and 6.7 rebounds, though he's never appeared in more than 65 contests in a campaign.

"Pek" - who's also the president of Serbian basketball club Partizan - remains under contract with Minnesota until 2018, but any dreams that he'll team up with Karl-Anthony Towns in the frontcourt should likely be put to rest.