MISSISSAUGA, ON - JANUARY 12: Kendrick Perkins #21 of the Canton Charge sits on the bench during the NBA G-League Showcase game against the Northern Arizona Suns on January 12, 2018 at the Hershey Centre in Mississauga, Ontario Canada. 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by AJ Messier/NBAE via Getty Images)A.J. Messier/Getty Images

Report: Cavs Pick Up Kendrick Perkins Contract Option Amid LeBron James Rumors

Adam WellsJun 27, 2018

The Cleveland Cavaliers are reportedly using Kendrick Perkins' contract as a potential tool to upgrade their roster in an effort to keep LeBron James.

Per ESPN.com's Dave McMenamin, the Cavs are exercising Perkins' 2018-19 option worth $2.5 million in a "salary-cap ploy" to combine his money with an existing contract on the roster to explore trade possibilities.

James has until Friday to decide if he will exercise his $35.6 million option for next season or become a free agent to explore the market.

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Per ESPN.com's Ramona Shelburne, if James does opt out, he has "no intention of hearing elaborate pitch meetings" from interested suitors.

McMenamin noted Perkins' salary is non-guaranteed for the time being, but the Cavaliers would have to guarantee it to use it in a potential trade.

The Cavs signed Perkins, who retired from the NBA G League's Canton Charge in February, on the final day of the regular season. The 33-year-old scored three points in the season finale against the New York Knicks, but he wasn't used in any of Cleveland's 22 postseason games.