Kendrick Perkins signed to multi-year extension; why now?
AP Photo
UPDATE: Via Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports, Perkins’ extension is for four years, $34.8 million. That’s $8.75 million per year.
So much for that “he doesn’t really want to be here” stuff.
The Thunder announced that Kendrick Perkins has signed a multi-year extension. Terms were not disclosed, though those will come out soon enough.
“We had a unique opportunity to enter into discussions with Kendrick to solidify his future with our organization,” said Sam Presti in a press release. “We are pleased to know that he will be a part of our core group now and in the future. Kendrick’s blue-collar, team-first approach aligns with the vision we hold for building a sustainable team in the Oklahoma City community.”
Perkins (6-10, 280) owns career averages of 6.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.4 blocks, 1.0 assist and 22.3 minutes in 454 NBA games. He has appeared in 12 games (7 starts) this season with the Celtics before being traded to the Thunder on February 24th, averaging 7.3 points and 8.1 rebounds in 26.1 minutes. The center has appeared in 68 career postseason games, averaging 6.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 25.7 minutes.
Perkins, originally selected in the 2003 NBA draft (27th overall) by the Memphis Grizzlies and then traded to Boston on draft night, was a Parade and McDonald’s All-America at Ozen High School in Beaumont, TX. He helped lead Ozen to a 96-3 record during his final three seasons, averaging 27.5 points, 16.4 rebounds and 7.8 blocks as a senior.
So why now? Why did Presti ink Perkins so quickly? It’s a bit complicated. Read more…
