5 Weeks & $60M Later, Pekovic Re-Signs With MN

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Flip Saunders said his top offseason priority was to bring back Nikola Pekovic on a long-term deal.

It took weeks of negotiations, but they got it done, with a five year, $60 million contract.

Why did it take so long?

"It's like five weeks – I think that's normal," Pekovic said. "If it had been five days, everybody would say, 'Well, that happened so quick.'"

However long it took, Pek is back.

"We're very excited to have him," Saunders said. "He's a very unique player."

Along with Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio, Pekovic has a chance to help create a talented threesome.

The new big contract brings new big responsibilities. He'll be expected to deliver on the investment, and he embraces that.

And he's unsure as to where he'll spend the cash.

"I don't wanna spend it. I wanna keep it all," he said.