CLEVELAND -- As they begin to gear up for their upcoming playoff run, the Cleveland Cavaliers have added a familiar face. On Wednesday, the team announced the signing of center Kendrick Perkins.
A 13-year NBA veteran, Perkins previously spent a portion of the 2014-15 season with the Cavs, including their run to the 2015 NBA Finals. After sitting out the 2016-17 season, he returned to Cleveland this past preseason, but was waived prior to the start of the regular season.
The 33-year-old proceeded to sign with the Canton Charge, the Cavs' exclusively owned NBA G League team. In 27 games in Canton, Perkins averaged on .529 shooting and 7.2 rebounds in 21.3 minutes per game.
In his 13 seasons as a pro, which has included stints with the Boston Celtics, Oklahoma City Thunder, Cleveland and New Orleans Pelicans, the 6-foot-10 Perkins has averaged 5.4 points on .530 shooting, 5.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks. He has been renowned for his ability as a defensive presence on the court and a locker room leader and teammate off of it.
With the Cavs set to play their final game of the regular season against the New York Knicks on Wednesday night, Perkins will reportedly earn $13,156 in his second stint in Cleveland. According to ESPN's Bobby Marks, his signing will cost the Cavs $35,373 in luxury tax costs, with the team set to finish the year with a league-high luxury tax bill of $50.93 million.
Perkins will wear No. 21 with the Cavs.
