When the draft concluded, the Wolves had Love, a promising European center (Nikola Pekovic) who won’t play in the NBA for perhaps at least three years, two future second-round picks from the Miami Heat and some cash for owner Glen Taylor.
The Wolves took Pekovic, a 6-11 center from Serbia, with the first pick in the second round (31st overall). Three picks later the Wolves selected Kansas guard Mario Chalmers, star of last spring’s NCAA title victory over Memphis, then traded him to the Heat for those two future second-round picks and cash.
From the Timberwolves site:
The Minnesota Timberwolves tonight selected Nikola Pekovic in the
second round (31st pick overall) of the 2008 NBA Draft. Pekovic, a
22-year-old, 6-11 center from Montenegro, averaged 16.4 points per game
during the 2007-08 Euroleague season for Partizan Belgrade (Serbia).
second round (31st pick overall) of the 2008 NBA Draft. Pekovic, a
22-year-old, 6-11 center from Montenegro, averaged 16.4 points per game
during the 2007-08 Euroleague season for Partizan Belgrade (Serbia).
They used the 31st pick on Nikola Pekovic, a
6-foot-11 center from Serbia, who is regarded as perhaps the top center
in Europe but recently signed a multiyear contract with a team in Greece.
6-foot-11 center from Serbia, who is regarded as perhaps the top center
in Europe but recently signed a multiyear contract with a team in Greece.