Thunder sign Kendrick Perkins to a multi-year extension

The Oklahoma City Thunder signed center Kendrick Perkins to a multiyear contract extension Tuesday, the team announced.
"We had a unique opportunity to enter into discussions with Kendrick to solidify his future with our organization," general manager Sam Presti said in a statement. "We are pleased to know that he will be a part of our core group now and in the future. Kendrick's blue-collar, team-first approach aligns with the vision we hold for building a sustainable team in the Oklahoma City community.
The 26-year-old Perkins was unable to agree to an extension with the Boston Celtics, who dealt him to the Thunder at the trade deadline for starters Jeff Green and Nenad Krstic. Guard Nate Robinson also came over to Oklahoma City, which sent the Celtics a 2012 first-round draft pick and cash.
Terms of Perkins' contract with the Thunder weren't disclosed. The Celtics had reportedly offered him a four-year, $22 million contract. Perkins was reportedly seeking a deal worth $30 million over that same span.
Perkins said he was interested in playing for Oklahoma City as early as last offseason, when he discussed with agent Arn Tellem whether the Thunder might be interested in him when this season was over. He ended up moving sooner than he expected, and was initially shaken up at being traded away from the only NBA team he'd ever played for.
Perkins, who has a sprained left knee, hasn't yet made his debut for the Thunder but said recently that he's hopeful he can be back in time for the Thunder's six-game homestand that starts March 18.
In 12 games with the Celtics this season, Perkins averaged 7.3 points and 8.1 rebounds.