MINNEAPOLIS -- Nikola Pekovic didnt want to leave Minnesota, and the Timberwolves werent about to let him go. After weeks of negotiations, waiting and watching, the two sides came to agreement on Wednesday on a new five-year contract worth $60 million that includes an additional $8 million in incentives. "Hes a dominating offensive player," Timberwolves president of basketball operations Flip Saunders said in a conference call. "He plays extremely hard. He probably will work as hard as he can to live up to a contract he signs, whatever it is worth." After posting a career-high 16.3 points and 8.8 rebounds per game last season, the 27-year-old Pekovic was a restricted free agent when the NBAs fiscal year opened on July 1. That meant the Timberwolves had the right to match any offer he received from another team, and Saunders made it clear from the start that they would do whatever it took to keep him in Minnesota. In the end, that included adding a fifth year on the initial four-year, $48 million offer they presented Pekovic and his agent, Jeff Schwartz, a few weeks ago. "With him and Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio, weve got three cornerstones in that franchise that all complement each other," Saunders said. After three seasons in the NBA, Pekovic has emerged as one of the best offensive big men in an increasingly centre-scarce league. He figured to garner a lot of interest from other teams looking to add some size and scoring to the paint. He waited for Dwight Howard to choose between several suitors. When Howard signed with the Houston Rockets, the belief was that a lucrative offer from one of the teams that missed out -- perhaps the Hawks or Mavericks -- could be on the way. Both of those teams decided not to pursue Pekovic, but the Timberwolves were still left holding their breath in hopes that another team with abundant cap space like the Bucks would force their hand with a monster offer. That offer never came. With the market settling down and the likelihood of another offer growing more remote by the day, Saunders came through with the fifth year on the deal to get it done. Because Pekovic was a restricted free agent and not signing an extension on his rookie deal, the Timberwolves still have the one five-year, rookie scale deal allowed by the current collective bargaining agreement for Rubio, if they so choose. There was some question about whether giving Pekovic five years would agitate Love, who wasnt happy when previous president David Kahn refused to give him the teams "designated player" five-year extension in 2012. But Kahn was fired after last season and Saunders said he has had conversations about the Pekovic deal with Love, who gave his full support. "More than anything else Kevin wants to win," Saunders said. "As we talked about Pek, he said, You have to do what you have to do. ... I dont know whats been done in the past and I really dont care. As he said, were moving forward." The 6-foot-11 Pekovic averaged just 0.8 blocks per game last season, meaning he isnt the classic rim protector that would be the biggest asset for a Timberwolves defence that is short on stoppers. He also missed 20 games last season and 15 the year before due to various nagging injuries that come about due to his physical style of play. But keeping Pekovic was a priority for Saunders and Wolves coach Rick Adelman, who valued the Montenegrins soft hands and quick feet in the post as well as his underrated pick-and-roll defence. Now that his deal is done, Pekovic will team with Love and Rubio to form a promising young core for the Wolves, who will be pushing for their first post-season appearance since 2004. In a league that is getting smaller and smaller, with few dominant big men, the Wolves see Pekovics size and strength as one of their best chances to create consistent mismatches in the demanding Western Conference. The key will be keeping Pekovic on the floor. He has missed time due to various foot and ankle issues, most minor in nature that come from the pounding he takes on a nightly basis. When Saunders took over for Kahn earlier this summer, he said he thought the Wolves could make some adjustments that would help him and the rest of their players stay healthy over the long season. Saunders said Wednesday that the target will be "in the 70s" in terms of the number of games Pekovic will play. Qadree Ollison Youth Jersey . Louis. To which I would say two things: 1. Where there is smoke, there is or perhaps has been a little fire. Or, in other words, the two teams would appear to have at least spoken. And spoken is defined as one calling the other to inquire, no more, no less. 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LONDON -- Prolonging his career in one of the toughest leagues, Zlatan Ibrahimovics predatory instincts endure.Manchester United was facing a fourth draw in five Premier League games on Wednesday until Ibrahimovic pounced in the 88th minute at Crystal Palace to seal a 2-1 victory.Four months into his United career, Ibrahimovic already has 13 goals -- and he even set up Paul Pogba for the first-half opener.After leaving Paris Saint-Germain, the 35-year-old striker could have taken the easy route and drifted toward retirement in one of the worlds well-paid but less demanding leagues.Instead, the Swede took on the challenge of filling the number nine jersey at one of the worlds biggest clubs. And Jose Mourinhos decision to add one of soccers notoriously biggest egos to the squad is paying dividends after 23 games.I told him England is not the best place to be on holidays for a rich guy, Mourinho said. When a rich guy with a great career wants holidays he doesnt come to England. You come to England if you want to be in the most difficult league in the world, if you want to prove yourself, if you want to show what you can do.So his decision to come here was based on that. So I am really happy because its not just about goals -- his goals, his leadership, his motivation, I am really happy with the big guy.That was clear at the final whistle when Mourinho embraced the man who restored Uniteds lead after James McAthurs equalizer.Thanks to Ibrahimovic, Mourinho has consecutive wins in the league for the first time since August and United remains three points behind fifth-place Tottenham.Palace is only three points above the relegation zone after one win in 10 matches, perilous form for manager Alan Pardew who has spoken of his job insecurity in recent weeks.Palace was gifting United space and possession for much of the first half, rarely breaking out of its own half.What United lacked as Wayne Rooney made his first league start in a month was a significant threat up front but the captain was coming cclosest.dddddddddddd A header from Rooney was off target and the strikers shot on the turn was repelled by goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey.United was fortunate to remain with 11 men after Marcos Rojos two-footed challenge on former Old Trafford winger Wilfried Zaha. The defender escaped with a yellow card.Hes an aggressive, clean player, Mourinho said, probably playing the best football of his career.Its not the best from Palace this season.In stoppage time at the end of the first half, Palace was punished by its inability to defend a set-piece but the hosts had legitimate grievances on two counts.Ibrahimovic initially appeared to chest down Juan Matas free kick into the path of Pogba. Replays, though, indicated that Ibrahimovics hand helped the ball along and Pogba was in an offside position when he turned the ball past Hennessey.The home fans were furious, jeering referee Craig Pawson at the interval. The players drew on the anger.Only United goalkeeper David de Gea at full stretch kept out McAthurs shot but he was beaten in the 66th minute.The leveler was stylish. Damien Delaney received the ball from Joel Ward, and a back-heeled flick-on enabled McArthur to slot past De Gea.United had a quick chance to regain the lead when Rooneys shot required a finger-tip save from Hennessey to keep the ball out the net.And if United was fortunate to benefit from refereeing decisions in the first half, the fortunes were now reversed.From the corner after Hennesseys save, Ledley raised an arm to block the ball. Pawson was surrounded by United players but no penalty was awarded.Mata did soon have the ball in the net but he was harshly adjudged to be offside when he met a downward header from Rojo.But there was no second reprieve for Palace when Pogba slickly threaded the ball through for Ibrahimovics late intervention, ensuring United left south London relieved rather than furious. ' ' '