The Cleveland Cavaliers are targeting Kendrick Perkins as a free agent option after his trade to the Utah Jazz, as he is working on a buyout with the team and he could be a potential target for the Cavs, Bulls, Los Angeles Clippers and Houston Rockets.
Perkins was traded to the Jazz from the Thunder in a deadline deal for Enes Kanter and now he is working on a buyout with Utah. According to Pro Basketball Talk, Perkins is a target for the Bulls, Cavaliers and Clippers, with Chicago and Cleveland as the favorites once his buyout is done. David Aldridge reported that he is working on a buyout now and that the two teams are the "front runners" for Perkins once he hits the market.
Perkins was moved by the Thunder to the Jazz in a three-team trade and now he will look to join a contender. Perkins reportedly was interested in signing with the Mavericks, but that likely will not be happening now that they have added Amar'e Stoudemire after his buyout from the Knicks. Perkins has plenty of playoffs experience and Pro Basketball Talk reports that the Clippers could be an option, as Perkins previously played for coach Doc Rivers.
Perkins could be a good option for the Clips, as they are dealing with an injury to Blake Griffin and could use some help up front. The Cavaliers and Bulls were quiet at the trading deadline and now the two division rivals could go after Perkins. The Cavs would like even more depth behind Timofey Mozgov and Kevin Love after losing Anderson Varejao earlier in the season and they are a strong option for Perkins. The Bulls have a strong roster already and also could look at Perkins for depth.
Like the Clippers, the Houston Rockets are also dealing with injury issues and could look at Perkins. The Rockets have Dwight Howard banged up and he could be out for multiple weeks and that could lead the team to take a look at Perkins. Perkins had been mentioned in trade rumors quite a bit last year, but the Thunder did not find a deal they liked. Kanter wanted to be moved and Chris Sheridan was on top of things before it happened, predicting his one major deal would be the Thunder snagging Kanter.
Perkins would be a strong depth option for the Bulls and the Cavs, as he would not have the pressure of being a starting player. Perkins could help backup Joakim Noah for the Bulls and he comes in averaging four points and five rebounds per game. The Thunder want to get younger and want to be more flexible on the cap and now Perkins could look at joining one of the east contenders.
The Cavs and Bulls are battling in the central division and now the teams are hoping to add Perkins. The Cavaliers come in ranked 18th in the league in rebounding and they are just behind the Bulls in the standings. The Bulls come in one win better than the Cavs and they are ranked third in rebounding this season with Pau Gasol and Nikola Mirotic along with Taj Gibson and Noah leading the way.
