CLEVELAND, OH - MAY 12: Kendrick Perkins #3 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives to the basket against the Chicago Bulls in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the NBA Playoffs at The Quicken Loans Arena on May 12, 2015 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)Nathaniel S. Butler/Getty Images

Kendrick Perkins: Latest News, Rumors and Speculation on Free-Agent C

Alec NathanJul 1, 2015

Center Kendrick Perkins is reportedly finalizing a deal to become the newest member of the New Orleans Pelicans.

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Marc Stein of ESPN reported Perkins and the Pelicans are finalizing a one-year deal for the veteran minimum.

ESPN.com's Arash Markazi, Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers was "still interested" in signing Perkins in early July, but after signing Paul Pierce to the mini mid-level exception, according to NBA.com's David Aldridge, the Clippers could only offer Perkins a deal at the veteran's minimum with no more exceptions available, according to Basketball Insiders.

While Perkins was once a serviceable defensive big who could provide quality minutes while bodying up some of the league's more imposing post threats, Perkins' limited offensive game hinders his overall impact to a staggering degree. Last season, he posted a cumulative offensive rating of 86 while notching a defensive rating of 105, according to Basketball-Reference.com.

With limited lateral agility and no real vertical jump to speak of, Perkins isn't the kind of versatile, athletic presence teams are looking for to fortify the back ends of their rotations. Still, he may be able to help spell rising superstar Anthony Davis in select scenarios and provide the frontcourt with veteran depth.