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People may question his value, but the Oklahoma City Thunder are seemingly sticking with center Kendrick Perkins. Coming off a disappointing postseason run, Thunder GM Sam Presti says the team hasn't considered using the amnesty clause on Perkins, according to Darnell Mayberry of The Oklahoman.
For many Thunder fans, this presumably comes as a bit of a disappointment. The embattled starting center of the team became a lightning rod for criticism the past few years as his production deteriorated in the eyes of most prominent analysts.
That hasn't stopped Presti from defending Perkins, who is owed $18.63 million over the next two seasons. "We think Perk has a lot of value to our team," the GM told Mayberry.
Given how much money the franchise has tied up in Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka, getting Perkins' contract off the books would the easiest way for OKC to open up some cap flexibility. Using the amnesty clause wouldn't save the team all that much money, but it would help cut the team's cap number and potentially avoid the luxury tax.
Starting 78 games this season, Perkins averaged 4.2 points and six rebounds in 25.1 minutes per contest. His 8.2 PER was the worst of his career, but the franchise continues to emphasize the value he provides on the defensive end.
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