Fansided

Mavs, Cavs, others interested in Kendrick Perkins

By Dylan Hughes

Feb 2, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Kendrick Perkins (5) dribbles the ball around Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 2, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Kendrick Perkins (5) dribbles the ball around Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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After being traded to the Jazz, veteran center Kendrick Perkins is expected to be bought out. When that happens, multiple contenders will be after him.

The Oklahoma City Thunder were busy on Thursday, with the trade deadline coming at 3 p.m EST. In hopes to add some depth for the playoff race, the Thunder sent out Reggie Jackson to the Pistons and Kendrick Perkins to the Jazz in a three-team trade that netted them D.J. Augustin, Kyle Singler, Enes Kanter, and Steve Novak.

Perkins isn’t expected to make an appearance for the Jazz, however, and should be bought out soon. When he does become a free agent, the 11-year veteran will have a few contenders calling his name.

With the Mavericks showing interest, they are proving to be all-in this season. With the possibility of Rajon Rondo leaving this summer, signing Amar’e Stoudemire and now being interested in Perkins, the Mavericks really want the best possible chance to win…now.

The other three teams currently showing interest are clearly because of lack of depth. Cleveland, with Anderson Varejao being out for the year, have a very small lineup with Shawn Marion at the backup 4 and Tristan Thompson at backup center. Adding Perkins would allow them to play a bigger second unit.

The Clippers are simply in need of a big man right now after Blake Griffin’s injury, and we all know how much Doc Rivers loves his former players.

For Chicago, depth is too the story here. They have been playing the backup frontcourt of Nikola Mirotic and Taj Gibson, and probably want to get bigger down low. However, signing Perkins would make minutes harder to find for Mirotic.

Perkins is only averaging 4 points and 5.5 rebounds per game this season. He has a horrendous offensive rating of 87 on the season, but has been pretty good on the defensive side with a 103 rating there.

Perkins would clearly not be asked to do much for these contenders interested in him, but could make some big defensive stops in the playoffs. There is little risk in signing him as he would be cheap, and would be a big body down low. For the teams interested, that may be all they need.

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