Perkins Signs Contract Extension with Thunder

Originally Published: Mar 1, 2011 9:20 AM CDT

Dean's Blog: Don't Underestimate the Value of Perkins Signing Contract Extension

Perkins Will Miss Two to Three Weeks

Layna Dewell
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

OKLAHOMA CITY– Recently acquired center Kendrick Perkins has signed a multi-year contract extension with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

“We had a unique opportunity to enter into discussions with Kendrick to solidify his future with our organization,” said Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti. “We are pleased to know that he will be a part of our core group now and in the future. Kendrick’s blue-collar, team-first approach aligns with the vision we hold for building a sustainable team in the Oklahoma City community.”

Presti announced the extension agreement Tuesday, but per team policy, the terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports, Perkins’ extension is for four years, $34.8 million. That’s breaks down to $8.75 million per year.

Perkins joined the Thunder last week after OKC traded Jeff Green and Nenad Krstic in return for Perkins and fellow Boston Celtic Nate Robinson.

While he was with the Celtics, the 26-year-old was reportedly unable to reach a contract extension with the team. The Celtics had reportedly offered him a four-year contract worth $22 million.

The contract agreement with OKC removes the risk of Perkins leaving the Thunder as an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season.

Perkins, a six-foot-ten inch center is averaging 6.4 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 454 NBA games.

Although Perkins is already in OKC and sporting the Thunder blue, he will not see the court for two to three weeks due to a knee injury.

Originally selected as the 27th overall pick in the 2003 NBA draft by the Memphis Grizzlies, Perkins was then traded to Boston on draft night.