CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cavaliers have some clarity with one of their free agent forwards.No, not that one.While waiting to see if they're in LeBron James' plans, the Cavaliers intend to extend a $3.4 million qualifying offer to Rodney Hood, making him a restricted free agent and protecting the club if he receives any offers.The team will make the offer to Hood before Friday's deadline, said a person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Wednesday because the club is not publicly discussing its plans ahead of free agency starting Sunday.Cleveland.com first reported the Cavaliers' intentions with Hood.Also, the Cavs intend to pick up center Kendrick Perkins' $2.5 million non-guaranteed contract for next season, the person said. The move with Perkins, who signed at the end of the regular season but did not appear in any playoff games, is so the team can potentially use his salary slot in a trade.Perkins has had two stints with Cleveland.Meanwhile, James has until 11:59... [More]

TORONTO (AP) — The NBA has asked the Toronto Raptors to tell rapper Drake to avoid a repeat of his verbal exchanges with Cleveland's Kendrick Perkins during Game 1 of Toronto's second-round series against the Cavaliers.Drake, who has been Toronto's global ambassador since 2013, occasionally sits in a courtside seat adjacent to Toronto's bench and trades barbs with visiting players.Perkins took exception to Drake's comments as the teams were leaving the court at the end of the first half Tuesday. The pair traded angry words again following Cleveland's 113-112 overtime win.According to the NBA's Fan Code of Conduct, the league is "committed to creating a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable sports & entertainment experience."The Raptors hosted Game 2 on Thursday. A day earlier, Toronto coach Dwane Casey said he had no issue with Drake's antics, saying he wished all Raptors fans had the same passion as the three-time Grammy winner.

CLEVELAND (AP) — LeBron James emerged from a chaotic, complex season unscathed — better than ever.Still the NBA's undisputed king.Despite no longer having Kyrie Irving at his side. Despite an injury-riddled season in which the Cavaliers' roster morphed twice and despite being surrounded by a supporting cast that included rookies and just three holdovers from Cleveland teams he dragged to three straight NBA Finals, James played every game and powered through his 15th pro season like it was another helpless defender in the lane.By investing millions into maintaining his body and with a work ethic that has pushed him since childhood, James seems intent on challenging basketball's natural cycle of aging.At 33, and on the eve of making a run at his eighth straight Finals, James is not slowing down. He remains the game's best all-around player, most dominant force. Still, the one to beat. Still, the player most capable of carrying a team to playoff victories. Still, the most likely player — sorry... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Veteran forward Kendrick Perkins is back with the Cleveland Cavaliers.Cleveland signed Perkins on Wednesday, the final day of the regular season, and will have him on its playoff roster as it tries to make the NBA Finals for the fourth straight year. The 33-year-old Perkins was with the Cavs during their 2015 run to the Finals.The 6-foot-10 Perkins also was with Cleveland during training camp this season and spent time with its Canton G-League affiliate. Perkins hasn't played in the NBA since 2016 with New Orleans.Perkins gives Cleveland some frontcourt depth in case of an injury and another player with postseason experience who can provide leadership.A 13-year veteran, Perkins has also played for Boston and Oklahoma City. He won a title with the Celtics in 2008.The late-season roster addition is not new for the Cavs, who signed guard Dahntay Jones the past two years and center Edy Tavares in 2017.___For more AP NBA coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

It appears the frayed relationship between Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook may not be irreparable after all.Kendrick Perkins, a former teammate of Durant and Westbrook with the Oklahoma City Thunder, said he played peacemaker leading to a phone call between the two former co-stars after Westbrook broke Oscar Robertson's triple-double record."I think the night that Russ actually broke the record, I had texted (Durant). The next day, he was talking about something and he sent me a text and was like, 'Me and Russ had a nice conversation.' The media don't even know nothing about it, but I just let it be known that they're back on talking terms, the differences are aside," Perkins said on TNT's "Area 21" show hosted by Kevin Garnett on Monday night.Durant spent eight seasons alongside Westbrook with the Thunder before leaving to join the Golden State Warriors on a two-year deal worth over $54 million. Durant can opt out after this season.Perkins added that he would not be surprised if Durant... [More]

C Kendrick Perkins was one of just two bench players available for New Orleans on Wednesday, but the veteran didn't contribute much offensively. He finished just 2-for-7 from the floor, scored six points and committed a game-high six turnovers. Perkins nearly made his first career 3-pointer, but an official review overturned the call after replays showed Perkins' foot on the 3-point arc.

C Kendrick Perkins is out 2-3 months with a pectoral injury. Perkins had moved into the starting lineup with the calf injury to C Omer Asik.

C Kendrick Perkins started Saturday's game against Golden State but left in the first quarter after suffering a right pectoral strain in the first quarter.

Perkins has been deployed as the starting center in the Pelicans' last two preseason games, scoring no points and grabbing nine rebounds while playing 28 minutes.

With Omer Asik (calf) and Alexis Ajinca (hamstring) suffering injuries in training camp that will likely sideline both for the beginning of the regular season, Perkins has risen quickly up the depth chart at center. Even if he does ultimately earn the starting nod for the season opener, Perkins' lack of mobility and dearth of offensive ability will likely result in him seeing 10-to-20 minutes per night. Instead, look for the primary beneficiaries of the absences of Asik and Ajinca to be Tyreke Evans and Ryan Anderson, who both figure to see more minutes off the bench, as coach Alvin Gentry utilizes more small-ball lineups that would result in Anthony Davis moving over to center from his usual power forward spot.

Perkins is in line to open the season as the Pelicans' top backup at center, John Reid of the New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

After signing with New Orleans for the veteran's minimum in the offseason, Perkins was expected to serve as little more than a towel-waving benchwarmer, but with Alexis Ajinca (strained right hamstring) ruled out for four-to-six weeks, the veteran will move up the pecking order. Omer Asik is expected to assume heavy minutes as the Pelicans' starting center, but Perkins should see a handful of minutes to spell him when necessary. Perkins has some value as a screener on offense and a lane clogger on defense, but his inability to do much with the ball in his hands makes him worth avoiding for fantasy purposes.

Perkins is finalizing a one-year, veteran minimum deal with the Pelicans, Marc Stein of ESPN reports.

Perkins is a 12-year veteran in the league, but is currently limited in what production he can give a team, especially on the offensive end. He is still, however, big and strong enough to serve as an able post defender for short stints. The Pelicans likely brought in the 30-year-old for insurances purposes, as he will more than likely play back-up to both newly re-signed centers Omer Asik and Alexis Anjinca, so long as both are healthy.

Perkins played just three minutes in the NBA finals and it was in the Game 4 blowout loss. After coming to the Thunder, he averaged 2.6 points and 2.4 rebounds in 9.8 minutes.

Perkins does not have a contract for 2015-16, so his time in Cleveland is likely done. At one point in his career, he was a defensive enforcer and won a championship with the Celtics. The 12-year veteran could sign on with a team looking for a low-post, defensive presence.

Perkins played two minutes and had two boards in the win over Chicago on Thursday.

Perkins played two minutes in each of the last three games. He scores two points in the series and may not play much in the Eastern Conference finals.

Perkins was involved in a domestic altercation with his wife early Wednesday morning, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Police were called to Perkins' home Wednesday morning after a 911 caller reported seeing Perkins' wife striking him as he was attempting to enter a vehicle. When police arrived, both Perkins and his wife were sitting in the vehicle and neither had visible injuries. No charges were filed and neither were taken into custody, so it's unclear whether Perkins will face any discipline from the Cavaliers or the league. At this point, it seems likely he'll be available for Thursday's Game 6 in Chicago.

Perkins played two scoreless minutes (0-3 FG) with a block in the win over Chicago on Tuesday.

Perkins is getting token minutes. He took advantage of his opportunity by taking more than a shot per minute.

Perkins played two minutes and scored two points (1-1 FG) with a rebounds in the win over Chicago on Sunday.

Perkins has not played much in the playoffs, but he is a big body for coach David Blatt to play against the Bulls. He won't get enough playing time to make fantasy mark.

Coach David Blatt indicated that Perkins will see increased minutes in Round 2, Dave McMenamin of ESPN reports.

It seems unlikely that Perkins plays a major role this series, but in the absence of Kevin Love he could be forced into action if Tristan Thompson or Timofey Mozgov get into foul trouble. Perkins played only six total minutes in the Cavs' first round series, logging as many turnovers and fouls (three) as points.

Perkins will not be suspended for his shove on Boston's Jae Crowder on Sunday, TNT's David Aldridge reports.

Perkins overtly shoved Crowder while setting a screen during Sunday's Game 4, a play that earned him a flagrant-1. The league has since upgraded the foul to a flagrant-2 while also assessing a $15,000 fine.

Perkins has played a total of two minutes through the first three games against the Celtics.

Perkins was able to see extended minutes on the court over the final four games of the regular season but that playing time was deceiving since the Cavaliers went into rest mode and emptied their bench ahead of their playoff campaign. With that, the 30-year-old is not expected to see significant minutes moving forward unless a game gets out of reach one way or another.

Perkins was held to just two minutes of action for his second straight game Thursday, and picked up two fouls without scoring a point before being removed from the game.

Perkins has only been with the Cavaliers for a few days after they signed him following his trade from the Thunder to the Jazz. Perkins didn't play at all with the Jazz before being bought out by them. It's unlikely that Perkins plays any more than a minor bench role for the Cavaliers, and doesn't hold much fantasy value.