NBA Rumors: Latest on Kendrick Perkins, Dario Saric and Gasol Brothers
Kendrick Perkins wasn't expected to contribute much to the New Orleans Pelicans this year, but the Pelicans' early struggles signal any depth is good.
Now it looks like New Orleans will have to find sustainable depth in the frontcourt until February.
Also, both Gasol brothers are looking for a new agent, and Dario Saric compares terminating his contract to a kilogram of cucumbers.
All of that and more in this batch of NBA rumors. Let's take a look.
Perkins Out Three Months with Pec Injury
It's been a collective struggle for the Pelicans to start the new season, and it's not getting any better after learning that Kendrick Perkins will miss three months with a right pectoral injury, according to Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski.
The injury list for New Orleans has been piling up like wildfire. Tyreke Evans, Quincy Pondexter, Norris Cole and Omer Asik are banged up, and Perkins was seeing playing time due to Asik's injury.
This has been about as terrible of a start as Anthony Davis could've hoped for. Albeit the best big man in the game who can do everything for the Pelicans, even he needs help at times, per Wojnarowski:
"Perkins was thrust into the Pelicans' starting lineup because of a calf injury to Asik, which has forced the Pelicans to play smaller lineups," Wojnarowski said. "Alexis Ajinca has been New Orleans’ only healthy player at center."
Even though he's not a force on either side of the floor, Perkins is a veteran presence and a guy who is capable of playing 10-15 solid minutes. Everyone is getting hurt for New Orleans, but at least it's now and not later in the season.
Dario Saric Aiming for 2016 Sixers Debut
The Philadelphia 76ers continue to trust their process, and more help may be on the way next year with former No. 12 pick Dario Saric finally coming to the states.
Saric is currently looking to make his NBA debut next season, per Drazen Brajdic from Vecernji List:
"I am in constant contact with the Sixers, they wanted me as soon as possible, but I have a contract with Efes," Saric said. "Terminate is not the same as going to the market and buy a kilogram of cucumbers. But in the summer, I will still go because I have a way out in the contract."
That way out will come in the form of $900,000, according to Derek Bodner from DerekBodner.com. The Sixers would have to pay two-thirds of that amount, which should not be an issue at all.
Saric would come to Philadelphia with two more years of overseas ball under his belt, which may go well for the Sixers. They'll have Jahlil Okafor's rookie year behind them, which would make a Saric-Okafor duo a dynamic frontcourt for Philadelphia.
That is definitely trusting the process.
Gasol Brothers Looking for New Agents
Marc Gasol got his major payday this summer, but Pau Gasol is a free agent in 2016.
The Gasol Brothers are both looking for new agents, according to Jeff Zillgitt from USA Today:
This doesn't affect Marc as much as it does Pau. The older Gasol is set to be a free agent this summer and could be commanding his last great payday before possibly retiring. Marc Gasol, on the other hand, landed a five-year max deal to stay with the Memphis Grizzlies in July.
Usually agent changes aren't meant to mean anything, but after DeAndre Jordan left agent Dan Fegan this summer after it seemed like Fegan pushed Jordan to leave the Los Angeles Clippers for the Dallas Mavericks, agents are bound to get a lot of leeway when it comes to their new contracts.
Pau Gasol could very well stay with the Chicago Bulls next year, but his new agent could make sure he gets a new payday elsewhere.
