The Oklahoma City Thunder traded veteran Kendrick Perkins on Thursday to the Utah Jazz, who're expected to offer him a buyout before March 1. If Perkins is bought out, a number of teams reportedly are interested in him, including the Dallas Mavericks, the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Chicago Bulls.
Oklahoma City was busy in the hours leading up to the trade deadline, ultimately pulling off a three-team trade that sent the remainder of Perkins's $9.1 million expiring contract to Utah. Perkins, though, is unlikely to ever suit up in a Jazz uniform. He's expected to be bought out soon, and if he clears waivers, a number of teams are reportedly interested in signing him.
"Mavs have joined Bulls near top of possible destinations for Kendrick Perkins, sources tell Yahoo. Texas roots/Rondo/contender all factors," Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski tweeted Thursday. "... So far, Mavs, Cavaliers, Clippers and Bulls expressing interest once the Perkins buyout is completed with Jazz, league sources tell Yahoo."
Cleveland, in addition to needing a backup point guard, needs depth in their frontcourt. They have an open roster spot, and the fact they've turned their season around and now look like a title-contender makes them a strong suitor for Perkins, if he does become a free agent.
The LeBron James-led Cavaliers look enticing for any veteran wanting a chance to win a championship, but they're by no means a shoo-in to sign Perkins. As Wojnarowski pointed out, the Mavericks have appeal to Perkins because he's from Texas, Rajon Rondo is a close friend of his and the team looks poised to make a deep playoff run.
The Clippers are also another possibility, given Perkins's familiarity with coach Doc Rivers.
Perkins must be bought out by March 1 in order to be playoff-eligible for a new team.
