Ex-Thunder center Perkins expected to sign with Cavaliers next week

  • By Jason Lloyd Akron Beacon Journal
  • Saturday, February 21, 2015 3:19pm
  • SportsSports

NEW YORK — The Cavaliers continue to get bigger — and better.

Former Oklahoma City Thunder center Kendrick Perkins will sign with the Cavs once he clears waivers on Monday, multiple league sources told the Beacon Journal. ESPN first reported the move.

Perkins was dealt to the Utah Jazz at the trade deadline, but Yahoo reported the buyout was completed on Saturday. The Cavs will sign him to a pro-rated contract for the league minimum.

Perkins, 30, is in his 12th NBA season. He has averaged 5.6 points and 6 rebounds throughout his career, but his value transcends his numbers. He’s a tough, physical defender who at 6-foot-10 and 280 pounds brings great size and a menacing presence behind 7-footer Timofey Mozgov.

Perkins lost his starting job with the Thunder this season to Steven Adams, but the rugged edge to his game and his locker room leadership is well known. Perkins averaged 19 minutes a game for the Thunder this season, scoring 4 points and grabbing 5.5 rebounds a night.

He will have a reduced role and serve as an insurance policy for the Cavs, who have flourished in recent weeks using a three-man rotation of Mozgov, Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson at power forward and center. That seems unlikely to change for now.

Perkins would be the safety should one of the three ahead of him get injured or fall into foul trouble in the postseason. He has been to the NBA Finals twice and won a championship with the Boston Celtics when one of his teammates was current Cavs assistant coach James Posey. He also shares the same agent, Arn Tellem, as Mike Miller.

The Cavaliers beat out the Los Angeles Clippers and Perkins’ former coach, Doc Rivers, to obtain him. The Chicago Bulls, Atlanta Hawks and Houston Rockets were also among the teams interested.

The Cavs spent last week’s trade deadline searching for either a big, a point guard or both. Perkins fills the largest remaining need on this team, while the point guard search may be slowing.

Perkins fills the empty roster spot, which the Cavs have been holding for months in case Ray Allen chose to join them. There is a growing belief throughout the league, however, that Allen’s playing days are over.

With a full 15-man roster, the Cavs will have to make difficult choices should Allen decide to play or they find a point guard better than Matthew Dellavedova.

The Cavs shopped Brendan Haywood’s unique contract at the trade deadline, but couldn’t find a deal to their liking. They won’t consider releasing him in the coming days to clear a second roster spot, one league official with knowledge of the team’s plans said, and are instead committed to keeping him until July to see if they can turn his $10.5 million non-guaranteed deal for next season into another high-priced veteran contributor.

That means should the Cavs have to find a another roster spot to add either Allen or a point guard, difficult roster decisions will have to be made and could include one of the players LeBron James recruited to Cleveland.

For now, team officials seem to be slowing their search for another point guard, believing no one (barring a surprise buyout in the coming days) will become available through free agency that is a significant upgrade over Dellavedova.

Regardless, adding Perkins is a huge victory after the Cavs were shut out at the trade deadline.

The deadline to add players who are eligible for the postseason is March 1.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Seattle head coach Mike Holmgren watches his team against Washington Sunday, November 9, 2003. (George Bridges / KRT / Tribune News Services)
No Holmgren in Hall is a travesty

The Former Seahawks coach carries a resume superior to many already in the HOF.

A Snohomish School District truck clears the parking lot at Glacier Peak High School on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. (Aaron Coe / The Herald)
Inclement weather cancellations strain high school sports calendar

With state tournaments on the horizon, ADs from Wesco, Northwest and Kingco must be flexible

Gonzaga overcomes stagnant start to beat LMU

Bulldogs get ‘best of best’ play down the stretch in 73-53 win.

Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) celebrates during a stop of the Arizona Cardinals at Lumen Field on Nov. 24, 2024 (Photo courtesy of Rod Mar / Seattle Seahawks)
Leonard Williams restructures Seahawks deal

More moves may be coming as Seattle deals with salary cap.

Former Archbishop Murphy High School stars, Bears cornerback Kyler Gordon (6) and Seahawks right tackle Abraham Lucas (72), prepare for play at Soldier Field in Chicago on Dec. 26, 2024. Though Lucas is likely to return as a starter, Seattle's interior line needs offseason upgrades. (Photo courtesy of Edwin Hooper / Seattle Seahawks)
The Seahawks offensive line needs work

A mix free agency and draft could lead to upgraded interior.

UW men stumble in second half, fall to Nebraska

The three-pointers that fell so frequently — and from a… Continue reading

Edmonds-Woodway’s William Alseth dribbles the ball down the court during the game against Shorewood on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025 in Shoreline, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds-Woodway boys basketball enters playoffs on high note

The Warriors never let up in 63-43 win vs. Shorewood on Tuesday to secure Wesco South 3A/2A title

Prep basketball roundup for Tuesday, Feb. 4

Parker powers Seagulls to district berth.

Kraken rally to force overtime, fall in shootout

Streaking Red Wings too much for young Kraken lineup that showed some promise.

Slivertips’ Clarke Schaefer tries to maneuver around Medicine Hat’s Josh Van Mulligen during the game on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Tips Week in Review: Everett splits slate in high-scoring week

The Silvertips were outscored 24-18 in four games this week, losing two to the next-best WHL teams

Everett Silvertips’ Landon DuPont during the game against the Medicine Hat Tigers on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Tips’ DuPont becomes first rookie D to score 50 points in 35 years

The 15-year-old star defenseman joined Scott Niedermayer in exclusive company with an assist Sunday.

Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto believes players like Jorge Polanco (7) will enjoy bounceback seasons in 2025. (Alika Jenner / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Despite quiet Mariners offseason, Jerry Dipoto confident

With the pre-spring training luncheon and news conference no longer an annual… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.