Cavs “strong frontrunners” to land Kendrick Perkins
February 21, 2015Observations of the QB, WR and RB groups at the NFL Scouting Combine
February 21, 2015According to ESPN.com, center Kendrick Perkins will sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers once his buyout with the Utah Jazz is completed.
Perkins was traded to the Jazz from the Oklahoma City Thunder in a deadline deal this week, and a buyout option was considered likely. Perkins joined the Thunder from the Boston Celtics in 2011 as the Thunder were looking for inside toughness and playoff experience.
The Cavaliers already acquired Timofey Mozgov in an earlier trade this season to address their frontcourt concerns, particularly after Anderson Varejao ruptured his achilles. However, frontcourt depth remained a concern and the Cavaliers were thought to be actively seeking another big.
Once word of Perkins’ buyout was reported, the Cavaliers were joined by the Clippers, Bulls, and others in trying to sign the veteran big man. His former coach with the Celtics, Doc Rivers, made a strong pitch to Perkins. But according to the ESPN report, Perkins was seeking a combination of playing time and a chance for an NBA Championship, and apparently after talking directly to LeBron James, Perkins has decided that Cleveland was his best fit.
While Perkins’ impact and effectiveness has declined in recent years, he still can provide a valuable role in Cleveland, offering playoff experience, leadership, and insurance depth in the frontcourt.
Perkins can not officially sign with the Cavaliers until after his buyout with the Jazz is agreed upon and made official.
(Update: Think they’re excited?)
The Land welcome my bro as well as my muscle(LOL) @KendrickPerkins to the city with open arms! Happy and thrilled to have u aboard homie!!
— LeBron James (@KingJames) February 21, 2015
It's a Blessing for me to have another opportunity to join a Great Organization @cavs! Can't wait to play with Greatness @KingJames!#TheLand
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) February 21, 2015
I'm on my way! @KingJames @KyrieIrving @RealTristan13 @kevinlove @MikeMiller_13 @TheRealJRSmith @I_Am_Iman! #Cavs 👊👊👊👊👊
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) February 21, 2015
17 Comments
I love how LeBron broke this news on twitter at 5PM tonight. about 30 minutes prior to ESPN
perkins is ok but i was hoping for sanders…
http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0325/7613/files/BBz1nIRCAAE5llZ.jpg_large_large.jpeg
Regardless of the season’s outcome, David Griffin has got to be the frontrunner for GM of the year, no? Or maybe co-GM with Lebron?
Giving them the SI treatment, again. lol
Screw the Four Letter.
He won’t get a lot of credit because of LBJ but I don’t think he’ll care.
Great addition for all of the intangibles things he’ll bring including toughness, nastiness and playoff experience!
It is fun and it probably explains why they keep insisting the Cavs won’t go to the Finals even though the team is loaded with talent.
Sanders isn’t likely to suit up for a team this year, if at all—ever.
I need 3 three things from Perkins.
10 minutes
6 rebounds
6 YOU DON’T COME DOWN THIS LANE FOULS.
I don’t even need close to that. Just his being available in game shape protects Mozgov, who looks like the type to get awfully amped up and possibly foul prone in big games. And keeps Love from again trying to defend in a way he just can’t. Just hope Perkins and Moz don’t kill each other in practice before the postseason.
and keeps James Jones from playing the 4.
That rotation still gives me nightmares.
I heard they’re going to decide who is the starter by standing 2 feet in front of the basket and letting LeBron dunk in their faces, you know, to break the Blake Griffin tie.
They did it again against the Knicks for a short stretch. LeBron continued to play against the 3 and the much smaller James Jones was trying to defend Jason Smith. It was hilarious.
Where is Kellen Winslow, Jr???
I HATE IT I HATE IT I HATE IT.
I was guessing that Blatt was just trying to let Jones get on the floor to oil up the jumper in game conditions during these blowouts and ignoring the match up.
Btw, Haywood looks just awful, even in garbage time against a bad opponent’s own scrubs. He knows he’s here for his contract but man, airballing 6 footers means you won’t even want your wife or kids watch.