The Cleveland Cavaliers signed center Kendrick Perkins on Tuesday in a move that was expected after he left the Oklahoma City Thunder last week in a three-team trade.
The Cavaliers did not disclose terms of the contract. Perkins finalized a buyout on Saturday with the Utah Jazz, where he landed in the deal.
A 12-year NBA veteran, Perkins has career averages of 5.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.2 blocked shots in 727 games, including 560 starts, for the Thunder and the Boston Celtics. He was averaging 4.0 points and 5.5 rebounds this season in 51 games for Oklahoma City.
Perkins also brings postseason experience to the Cavs. He has been in the playoffs eight times and was with the Celtics when they won the NBA championship in 2008.
Perkins’ first game in a Cavs uniforn was to be Tuesday night against the Detroit Pistons.
The 30-year-old Perkins was traded from the Thunder to the Jazz on Thursday in a three-team deal and he was recruited to Cleveland by LeBron James, according to reports. He also received interest from the Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Clippers, New Orleans Pelicans and San Antonio Spurs.
James tweeted last week, “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!!”
Perkins replied, “I’m on my way!”