The Cleveland Cavaliers' front line got a whole lot stronger Tuesday afternoon.
After being bought out of his existing contract by the Utah Jazz on Saturday, two days removed from a trade from the Oklahoma City Thunder, 6-foot-10, 280-pound center Kendrick Perkins signed with the Cavaliers on Tuesday and will be in uniform when they take on the Detroit Pistons tonight at The Palace of Auburn Hills.
Once the buyout with the Jazz was complete on Saturday night, reports leaked that Perkins had agreed to join the Cavaliers, news that All-Star small forward LeBron James welcomed as he tries to break a 67-year championship drought for the city of Cleveland.
"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!!" James tweeted.
Perkins responded by saying, "I'm on my way! KingJames@KyrieIrving@RealTristan13@kevinlove@MikeMiller_13@TheRealJRSmith@I_Am_Iman! #Cavs"
Expected to be the backup to starting center Timofey Mozgov, Perkins brings 13 years of NBA experience to the Cavaliers after an eight-year run with the Boston Celtics and five seasons with the Thunder. Perkins has been a part of several deep playoff runs, including multiple trips to the NBA Finals and the 2008 NBA Championship with the Celtics.
In 273 games with the Thunder, Perkins averaged 4.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 0.9 blocks every night. For his career, Perkins has scored an average of 5.6 points, collected 6.0 rebounds, handed out 1.1 assists and blocked 1.2 shots per game.
