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Report: T-Wolves will seek medical retirement for Pekovic after Jan. 31

Reuters

The Minnesota Timberwolves may be moving on from Nikola Pekovic.

The big man missed the majority of last season and was ruled out for 2016-17 as well due to an Achilles injury and complications resulting from surgery. He admitted earlier this week he cannot run without pain, so his days in the NBA may be numbered.

The T-Wolves are expected to seek a medical retirement for the 30-year-old center, according to Marc Stein of ESPN. Since Pek suited up in 12 games last season, the team must wait until Jan. 31, 2017 - a full year since he last appeared in a game - before applying for the salary exclusion.

If granted the exemption due to Pekovic's career-ending injury, the remaining salary on his contract - $12.1 million this season and $11.6 million in 2017-18 - will be removed from Minnesota's cap.

Over six injury-riddled seasons in Minny, the Montenegro native averaged 12.6 points and 6.7 rebounds, but never played more than 65 contests in a campaign.

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