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 who transitioned into a sports analyst role with ESPN after retiring from the NBA. Perkins entered the NBA straight from high school and played center. He is most known for his time with the Boston Celtics, where he won an NBA Championship in 2008. He also played for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Cleveland Cavaliers, and New Orleans Pelicans during his NBA career.

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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. During his high school career, he led Ozen High to four consecutive district championships and one state championship. During his senior year, the team only lost one game with a score of 66-54 to Fort Worth Dunbar in the state 4A championship game.

2003: NBA Draft and Trade to Celtics

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

2003: Ranked as No. 6 Player

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

2004: Increased Playing Time

During the 2004 season, Kendrick Perkins started receiving more playing time and became known as one of the tougher players on the Celtics.

2005: Increased Playing Time

In 2005, Kendrick Perkins started earning more playing time from coach Doc Rivers, due to 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, consistently reaching double figures in points and rebounds. After Mark Blount's trade, Perkins became the undisputed starting center for the Celtics.

2008: NBA Champion

In 2008, Kendrick Perkins started at center for the Boston Celtics team that became NBA champions.

2010: NBA Finals

Kendrick Perkins reached the NBA Finals in 2010 with the Boston Celtics.

January 25, 2011: Return to the Court

On January 25, 2011, Kendrick Perkins returned to the court after injury, logging 17 minutes off the bench, scoring seven points, six rebounds and three assists in a win against the Cleveland Cavaliers. He received a standing ovation upon entering the game in the first quarter.

February 24, 2011: Trade 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 during 20 minutes of play in a 116–89 win against the Washington Wizards.

March 20, 2011: Season-High Assists

On March 20, 2011, Kendrick Perkins recorded a season-high four assists, along with five points, 12 rebounds, and a steal, in a 95–93 loss to the Toronto Raptors.

March 25, 2011: 13 Points and 3 Steals

On March 25, 2011, Kendrick Perkins recorded 13 points, five rebounds, three steals, and one block while going 6 for 6 from the field in a 111–103 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

March 30, 2011: 13 Points vs Phoenix Suns

On March 30, 2011, Kendrick Perkins scored 13 points again, along with three rebounds, one assist, one steal, and one block in a 116–98 win over the Phoenix Suns.

April 6, 2011: Season-High Rebounds

On April 6, 2011, Kendrick Perkins grabbed a season-high 17 rebounds, while getting five points and one block in a 112–108 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.

December 25, 2011: Start of Lockout-Shortened Season

On December 25, 2011, Kendrick Perkins started the lockout-shortened season getting six points, four rebounds, one assist, and one block while also going 2 of 2 from the field in a 97–89 win against the Orlando Magic.

February 10, 2012: First Double-Double of the Season

On February 10, 2012, Kendrick Perkins got his first double-double of the season, getting 10 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, and one block in a 101–87 win against the Utah Jazz.

February 14, 2012: Career High Assists

On February 14, 2012, Kendrick Perkins tied his career high with six assists, as well as getting seven rebounds, one steal, one block, and one point in a 111–85 win against the Utah Jazz.

February 20, 2012: Season High Blocks

On February 20, 2012, Kendrick Perkins got five points, 13 rebounds, three assists, and a season-high six blocks in a 101–93 win against the New Orleans Hornets.

March 5, 2012: Season High Rebounds

On March 5, 2012, Kendrick Perkins grabbed a season-high 14 rebounds, while also getting seven points, one assist, one steal, and one block in a 95–91 win against the Dallas Mavericks.

March 18, 2012: Career High Steals

On March 18, 2012, Kendrick Perkins got six points, six rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and a career-high tying three steals in a 111–95 win against the Portland Trail Blazers.

March 25, 2012: Season High Points

On March 25, 2012, Kendrick Perkins scored a season-high 16 points, while also getting six rebounds, two assists, and one steal in a 103–87 win against the Miami Heat.

April 13, 2012: Second Double-Double of the Season

On April 13, 2012, Kendrick Perkins got his second double-double of the season, getting 11 points and 11 rebounds in a 115–89 win over the Sacramento Kings.

November 9, 2012: Career High Assists

On November 9, 2012, Kendrick Perkins dished a career-high tying six assists, and also had nine points, four rebounds, and a steal in a 105–94 win against the Detroit Pistons.

February 8, 2013: Season High Points

On February 8, 2013, Kendrick Perkins scored a season-high 17 points, along with nine rebounds, three assists, two steals and three blocks in a 127–96 win against the Phoenix Suns.

February 10, 2013: Career High Steals

On February 10, 2013, Kendrick Perkins had a career-high tying three steals, as well as four rebounds, two assists, and three blocks in a 97–69 win against the Suns.

March 20, 2013: Season High Rebounds

On March 20, 2013, Kendrick Perkins grabbed a season-high 15 rebounds, and also had an assist in a 90–89 overtime loss against the Memphis Grizzlies.

December 13, 2013: Season High Assists

On December 13, 2013, Kendrick Perkins dished a season-high four assists, and also had six points and three rebounds in a 122–97 win against the Lakers.

January 5, 2014: Season High Points

On January 5, 2014, Kendrick Perkins scored a season-high 12 points, and also had six rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block in a 119–96 win against his former team, the Boston Celtics.

January 17, 2014: Season High Rebounds

On January 17, 2014, Kendrick Perkins grabbed a season-high 12 rebounds, and also had six points, two assists and two steals in a 127–121 win against the Golden State Warriors.

February 5, 2014: Season High Rebounds

On February 5, 2014, Kendrick Perkins tied his season-high, getting 12 rebounds, six points, two assists, and one steal in a 106–97 win against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

November 1, 2014: Perkins scores season-high 17 points

On November 1, 2014, Kendrick Perkins scored a season-high 17 points and had five rebounds in a 102–91 win against the Denver Nuggets.

December 14, 2014: Perkins grabs season-high 10 rebounds

On December 14, 2014, Kendrick Perkins grabbed a season-high 10 rebounds, along with five points, one assist, one steal, and one block in a 112–88 win against the Phoenix Suns.

February 19, 2015: Perkins traded to 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: Perkins signs with the Cleveland Cavaliers

On February 24, 2015, Kendrick Perkins signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers and debuted the same day, scoring two points in a 102–93 win over the Detroit Pistons.

July 28, 2015: Perkins signs with the New Orleans Pelicans

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

September 25, 2017: Perkins signs 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: Cavaliers waive Perkins

On October 14, 2017, the Cleveland Cavaliers waived Kendrick Perkins after he appeared in three preseason games.

April 11, 2018: Perkins returns to the Cavaliers

On April 11, 2018, Kendrick Perkins returned to the Cavaliers, signing a contract for the remainder of the season and played his first and only game during his second stint, recording 3 points in a loss to the New York Knicks.