The Cleveland Cavaliers have been looking for a scoring big man to pair with Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson. They've tried to get Kevin Love and LaMarcus Aldridge without any success. Now, it sounds as though they will be going after another Minnesota Timberwolves big man -- Nikola Pekovic. Reports indicate that the Cavs are very high on the big man, according to Fox Sports Ohio.
• The Cavs have a strong interest in Minnesota Timberwolves center Nikola Pekovic, a restricted free agent. However, as of Monday morning, Pekovic's camp had yet to hear from the Cavs.
It's very cool that the Cavs have interest in Pekovic. Heck, Pekovic might even have interest in the Cavs. But none of that matters because Pekovic is a restricted free agent. Whatever the Cavaliers offer him, the Timberwolves can match. Multiple reliable sources indicate that the Wolves intend to do just that. No backloaded contract or max offer will deter them. Pekovic was very very productive for them this past season and they would like to keep him. So they will.
I hate to break it to Cavs fans that continuously tell me that we should sign Pek, but we aren't getting him. This isn't a matter of the Cavs just needing to offer more money or selling Pekovic on the prospects of playing for the Cavs. This is up to the Timberwolves and unless, for some completely unexpected reason, they choose not to match the offer, Pekovic will not be on the Cavs.
Sorry bros. It ain't happening.