Free-agent center Kendrick Perkins, a 13-year NBA veteran, has agreed to a deal to join the Cleveland Cavaliers-affiliated Canton Charge of the NBA's G League, league sources tell ESPN.
The Cavaliers waived Perkins, 32, after he spent the preseason on the roster. Perkins remains determined that his ability to provide backup center minutes and his reputation as a strong locker room presence and veteran mentor can help him return to an NBA roster.
Perkins had the opportunity to start a coaching career with the Cavaliers, but is determined to return to the league as a player. In a text message on Monday, he told ESPN.com: "I'm serious and I'm committed to this [opportunity]. I will sacrifice to show the NBA."
Perkins wasn't on an NBA roster in 2016-17 but has stayed in shape working on a return to a team. Perkins spent the 2015-16 season with the New Orleans Pelicans. He was the starting center on the Boston Celtics' 2008 NBA championship team, a run with the Celtics that lasted eight years until his trade to Oklahoma City in 2011. Perkins had stops with Cleveland and New Orleans after leaving the Thunder in 2015.