Career Timeline of Kendrick Perkins: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Kendrick Perkins made an impact.

Kendrick Perkins is a former professional basketball player and current ESPN sports analyst. He transitioned to the NBA straight from high school, playing for teams like the Boston Celtics, Oklahoma City Thunder, Cleveland Cavaliers, and New Orleans Pelicans. Perkins won an NBA Championship with the Boston Celtics in 2008.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2003: Graduation from High School

In 2003, Kendrick Perkins graduated from Clifton J. Ozen High School in Beaumont, Texas. He had an impressive high school career, leading Ozen High to four consecutive district championships and one state championship.

2003: Ranked as Top Prospect

In 2003, Kendrick Perkins was considered a five-star recruit by Rivals.com, ranking as the No. 3 center and No. 6 player in the nation. He initially committed to Memphis but chose to enter the NBA directly from high school.

2003: Drafted by Memphis Grizzlies and Traded to Celtics

In 2003, Kendrick Perkins was drafted in the first round as the 27th pick by the Memphis Grizzlies. He was immediately traded to the Boston Celtics along with Marcus Banks in exchange for Troy Bell and Dahntay Jones.

2004: Increased Playing Time

In 2004, Kendrick Perkins received more playing time than his rookie season and became known as a tough player on the Celtics.

2005: Increased Playing Time

In 2005, Kendrick Perkins earned more playing time from coach Doc Rivers after showing improvements during summer training and practice.

2006: Starting Center for the Celtics

In 2006, Kendrick Perkins played some of the best games of his career. Following the trade of Mark Blount, Perkins became the undisputed starting center for the Celtics.

2008: NBA Finals with Celtics

In 2008, Kendrick Perkins made his first trip to the NBA Finals with the Boston Celtics.

2010: NBA Finals with Celtics

In 2010, Kendrick Perkins made his second trip to the NBA Finals with the Boston Celtics.

February 24, 2011: Traded to Oklahoma City Thunder

On February 24, 2011, Kendrick Perkins and Nate Robinson were traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Jeff Green and Nenad Krstić.

March 14, 2011: Debut with the Thunder

On March 14, 2011, Kendrick Perkins debuted with the Oklahoma City Thunder, recording six points, nine rebounds, and two assists in a win against the Washington Wizards.

April 17, 2011: Game 1 First Round Playoffs

On April 17, 2011, during Game 1 of the First Round of the 2011 NBA playoffs against the Denver Nuggets, Kendrick Perkins scored four points, secured five rebounds, and blocked one shot in a 107-103 victory for the Thunder.

April 27, 2011: Game 5 First Round Playoffs

On April 27, 2011, in Game 5 of the First Round of the 2011 NBA playoffs against the Denver Nuggets, Kendrick Perkins nearly achieved a double-double, scoring 13 points, grabbing nine rebounds, and providing one assist in a 100-97 victory for the Thunder.

May 7, 2011: Game 3 Western Conference Semifinals

On May 7, 2011, during Game 3 of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Memphis Grizzlies, Kendrick Perkins secured 13 rebounds, scored six points, provided one assist, and had one steal in a 101-93 overtime loss.

December 25, 2011: Start of Lockout-Shortened Season

On December 25, 2011, Kendrick Perkins started the lockout-shortened season with six points, four rebounds, one assist, and one block in a 97-89 win against the Orlando Magic.

May 18, 2012: Game 3 Conference Semifinals

On May 18, 2012, during Game 3 of the Conference Semifinals against the Los Angeles Lakers, Kendrick Perkins contributed six points, two rebounds, one assist, one steal, and four blocks in a 99-96 loss.

June 2, 2012: Game 4 Conference Finals

On June 2, 2012, during Game 4 of the Conference Finals against the San Antonio Spurs, Kendrick Perkins scored 15 points, grabbed nine rebounds, provided one assist, and had one block in a 109-103 victory.

June 17, 2012: Double-Double in Game 3 of NBA Finals

On June 17, 2012, during Game 3 of the NBA Finals against the Miami Heat, Kendrick Perkins achieved his first and only double-double of the playoffs, recording 10 points, 12 rebounds, and a block in a 91-85 loss.

2013: Playoff Performance

In 2013, the Thunder defeated the Houston Rockets in the First Round of the NBA playoffs, but were defeated by the Grizzlies in the Conference Semifinals. During Game 1 of the Conference Semifinals, Kendrick Perkins had seven rebounds and three assists in a 93-91 win.

2014: Playoff Performance

In 2014, during the NBA playoffs, the Thunder defeated the Grizzlies in the First Round and the Clippers in the Conference Semifinals but were eliminated by the Spurs in the Conference Finals. During Game 2 of the Conference Semifinals, Perkins had eight points and nine rebounds in a 112–101 win.

February 19, 2015: Traded to the Utah Jazz

On February 19, 2015, Kendrick Perkins was traded to the Utah Jazz in a three-team trade that also involved the Detroit Pistons.

February 24, 2015: Signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers

On February 24, 2015, Kendrick Perkins signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers and made his debut later that day, scoring two points in two minutes off the bench in a 102–93 win over the Detroit Pistons.

July 28, 2015: Signed with the New Orleans Pelicans

On July 28, 2015, Kendrick Perkins signed with the New Orleans Pelicans.

September 25, 2017: Signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers for a second stint

On September 25, 2017, Kendrick Perkins signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers, returning to the franchise for a second stint.

October 14, 2017: Waived by the Cleveland Cavaliers

On October 14, 2017, Kendrick Perkins was waived by the Cavaliers after appearing in three preseason games.

April 11, 2018: Returned to the Cavaliers and Played Final Game

On April 11, 2018, Kendrick Perkins returned to the Cavaliers, signing a contract for the remainder of the season. That same day ended up being Perkins' first and only game that he played for Cleveland during his second stint with the team in a loss to the New York Knicks.