Darnell Mayberry, the Oklahoma City Thunder's beat writer, reported that big man Kendrick Perkins will be out for the entire preseason due to a wrist injury.
Don't worry it is just for the preseason, trainers will try to get Perkins back out on the floor before the end of the preseason for the first game of the season. Cole Aldrich, Hasheem Thabeet and Daniel Orton will have a chance to get more play time and make a bid to remain in the rosters.
Orton is the freshest of the three having only played in one NBA season in the past. In 16 games last season with the Orlando Magic, Orton averaged 2.8 points and 2.4 rebounds.
Aldrich has two years with the Thunder. He has played in 44 games in the past two seasons 1.7 points and 1.9 rebounds.
Thabeet has three years in the league, bouncing around to different teams in those three seasons. He has been a member of the Memphis Grizzlies, Houston Rockets and Portland Trail Blazers. In 135 NBA games he has averaged 2.2 points and 2.7 rebounds per game.
While the Thunder will get to look at these young players, Perkins remains their foundation at the center position. He will be vital in the Thunders' efforts to repeat as Western Conference champions and possibly even win a championship.
The Thunder, however, have to prove that they are ready to dominate a new look Los Angeles Lakers team that is hungry for a title.
