Report: Kendrick Perkins agrees to one-year deal with Pelicans

The New Orleans Pelicans are reportedly finalizing a one-year deal with free-agent center Kendrick Perkins.

The New Orleans Pelicans are finalizing a one-year deal with free-agent center Kendrick Perkins, reports ESPN's Marc Stein. Cleveland.com reports that Perkins and the Pelicans have agreed to the contract. 

It is a veterans minimum deal, according to Stein.

ESPN.com reports that the Pelicans believe Perkins can serve a mentor role to center Anthony Davis. Davis signed a five-year, $145 million extension with New Orleans earlier this month. 

Perkins split the 2014–15 season with the Oklahoma City Thunder and Cleveland Cavaliers, averaging 3.6 points and 4.7 rebounds. The 30-year-old previously played for the Boston Celtics.

Over his 12-year NBA career, Perkins has averaged 5.5 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. 

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The Pelicans finished 45–37 last season and lost in the first round of the playoffs. Head coach Monty Williams was fired in March and replaced by Alvin Gentry.

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