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According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports, the Cleveland Cavaliers are a contender to sign center Kendrick Perkins once he is bought out by the Utah Jazz. Perkins, who was traded today as a part a multi-team deal today that netted the Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter, is expected to be bought out by Utah shortly. The Los Angeles Clippers, who are coached by Perkins' old coach Doc Rivers, and the Chicago Bulls are the other teams considered as a favorites to land Perkins.
Royce Young of ESPN and Thunder Daily also acknowledged the Cavs as a team to watch for Perkins earlier today.
The Cavaliers and Clippers are strong contenders to sign Kendrick Perkins once buyout is done with Jazz, league sources tell Yahoo.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) February 19, 2015
The Chicago Bulls are a VERY significant contender for Kendrick Perkins too, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) February 19, 2015
Perkins, whose base salary is $9.1 million this year pre the assumed buyout, would likely be available for the league minimum. That is about all the Cavs, who did not make a deal before today's trade deadline and have one roster spot still open, can afford. If signed, he would give the Cavs some needed depth behind Kevin Love, Timofey Mozgov and Tristan Thompson in the frontcourt.
Perkins, who is 30 years old, played 51 games for the Thunder this season, three of which were stars. He is averaging four points and 5.5 rebounds per game this season. Perkins has been in the league since the 2003-2004 season, when he was drafted out of high school by the Boston Celtics. He won a title with Boston in 2008 before being traded to the Thunder in February 2011.