Kendrick Perkins signs a multi-million contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder
Kendrick Perkins got the surprise of his life it was revealed that he is being re-located to the Oklahoma City. But less than a week after the surprise trade, the big Center already appears to be relishing the prospect.
A testament of it, was manifested on Tuesday when Perkins signed a four year extension in his contract even before playing a game with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The multi-million dollar deal will ensure his stay with the Thunder
till the 2014-2015 season.
Perkins’ trade February 24, 2011, was part of a four man deal between the Boston Celtics and the Oklahoma City which also took Nate Robinson to the Thunder. The Celts on the other hand got the services of Jeff Green and Nenad Krstic.
The integral part of the 2008 championship winning team, the inspirational centre spent his first seven years of his NBA career with the Celtics. He started as the reserve centre but after the departure of Mark Blount to the Minnesota
Timberwolves a few seasons back, he became the unquestionable opening centre for the Celtics.
Perkins was unable to agree on his extension with the Boston Celtics this season though as he was reportedly offered of four-year, $22 million contract. One he did not agree upon. Instead he went for a more lucrative 36.4 million
dollar offer by the Thunder.
Perkins said after practicing session on Tuesday.
“It kind of felt like the worst day of my life when I got traded from the Cs, from being there so long. But when I got here, it kind of took my mind away from everything, I think, and everything just kind of blew me away, it was
kind of the worst but best day.”
Perkins however is fascinated to stay in Oklahoma City as he saw similarities with his Texas hometown, by his first feeling about the Thunder as a first-class organization.
In the 2003 draft the 26 year old 6-foot-10 Perkins was the 27th pick, his over all career average was 6.4 points with 6.1 rebounds.
Perkins led the Ozen High to four successive district championships and one state championship during his high school career. He was graduated from Clifton J. Ozen High School in 2003. In 2003 Perkins was also selected in the McDonald’s
All- American game for the High-school players.
Perkins jumped in NBA instantly out of high school, but in the beginning he was devoted to the University of Memphis.
Kobe Bryant who played against Kendrick in two of the last three NBA finals praised his rival after the game at Oklahoma City on Sunday night. Kobe called Perkins called Perkins the “best low-post defender we have in the game.”
Perkins has not been able to make an appearance for his team so far due to his nagging knee injury, but is hopeful that he will be fit till March 18th. Playing with the Celtics this season in 12 games, Perkins scored
averaging 7.3 points and 8.1 rebounds.
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