Kendrick Perkins

He may still only be 28 years old, but Perkins is clearly on the tail-end of his career. The big man's role has steadily decreased each year he's been with the Thunder, and he's coming off a 2013-14 season in which he averaged just 20 minutes per game, his lowest mark since 2005-06. With Steven Adams set to take on a much bigger role in his sophomore campaign, Perkins, who averaged 3.4 points and 4.9 rebounds last year, will offer even less fantasy value this coming season.

Despite being just 28 years old, Perkins has been in the league for 10 seasons and is starting to wear down. He averaged just 4.2 points and 6.0 rebounds in 25.1 minutes in 78 games for the Thunder last year. Those numbers do not represent a quality fantasy entity in most leagues, and it is hard to imagine that they will increase by any large measure in 2013-14.

Perkins' game is toughness, and there are few tougher in the NBA. In fact, he played through a partially torn groin in the final three rounds of the playoffs last season. He gets full use out of his allotted fouls and brings an unapologetic attitude lacking in most of his teammates. Unfortunately, those qualities don't do much for a fantasy roster. He averaged 5.1 points last season and saw his rebounds drop to just 6.6 per game, disappointing for a center of his girth. He underwent offseason groin and wrist surgery. The former is healthy, but the latter is expected to keep him out all preseason.

Perkins was hampered by a knee injury most of last season, but when he finally got on the court after his midseason trade to Oklahoma City he immediately gave the Thunder the extra size and tenacity they needed. Perkins' double-scoring potential is stymied by a lineup with multiple offensive weapons. He averaged 5.1 points in 17 games with the Thunder last season, though that mark should increase slightly with a full season integrated into the offense and a healthy knee. The last part is most important. Perkins needs to stay healthy. An abbreviated 66-game slate should help keep him fresh to play 25-30 minutes a game and probably increase his eight rebounds and a block a game.

We list Perkins first because he should be the starter upon his return, which should be sometime in February. With Perk, you know what you’re getting: 8-10 points, 8-10 boards, two blocks, great field goal percentage and terrible free throw shooting. Of course, that was the Perkins pre-ACL injury and before the acquisition of Shaq and Jermaine O’Neal, so Perk’s numbers could dip slightly as he fights for playing time and works off the rust.

For the second consecutive season, Perkins improved his output across the board. The 24-year-old center set career-highs in points (8.5), rebounds (8.1), blocks (2.0) and minutes (29:36). Perkins utilizes his powerful 6-10, 280-pound frame to control the boards and play steady defense. Despite a lack of athleticism, Perkins does a solid job with positioning and timing on the defensive end. His aggressiveness often causes foul trouble, though, limiting his minutes. But Perkins showed discipline during a 14-game stretch in the playoffs when he avoided foul trouble, logging over 36 minutes per game while scoring 11.9 points and pulling down 11.6 boards. Unfortunately, he might not have an opportunity to show off that double-double potential next season after Rasheed Wallace was brought in via free agency. Wallace will challenge Perkins for the starting center position and appears to be the favorite heading into camp. Still, Perkins will form a three-headed monster in Boston’s frontcourt with Wallace and Kevin Garnett, often spelling the veterans to keep their aging legs fresh. Perkins might not be able to replicate the stats he put up in the playoffs, but he should still be a solid source of field-goal percentage, rebounds and blocks with a bit of scoring upside if he can develop his post-up game.

Playing alongside Kevin Garnett, Perkins put up solid if not spectacular numbers last season. He’s steadily improved over the five years he’s been in the league, and last year’s 24:30 mpg and 61.5 field-goal percentage were career-highs. Perkins won’t be a big asset in any other categories, though he is a solid shot-blocker. He underwent arthroscopic shoulder surgery over the offseason but is expected to be ready for the upcoming season.

Nothing about Perkins is terribly exciting, especially from a fantasy perspective. He will serve as the Celtics starting center by default and should pick up his usual four points and six rebounds while collecting fouls and letting Kevin Garnett do the heavy lifting. With Garnett around, Perkins will have to carry even less of an offensive load than he did teaming with Al Jefferson last year. His modest 4.5 point per game average may drop, even with added minutes. Look elsewhere for fantasy center help.

Perkins returns as Boston’s starting center in 2006-07 after 37 starts last season. He’s improved his conditioning since entering the league out of high school, but still has mediocre athletic ability. He’s way down the list of players the Celtics are looking to for offense, so all his value will be tied to his ability to rebound and block shots. To have a starter’s value, he’ll need more than the 19.6 minutes he averaged last year. And we’re still trying to get a read on head coach Doc Rivers’ playing rotation, so we’re not assuming Perk will get that playing time.

Perkins will be asked to contribute a bit more in 2005-06. He’s primarily been used as a defensive replacement for most of his career and will likely be a 15-20 minute player this season. He may be a decent source of cheap rebounds and blocks if he can tip toward 25+ minutes.

The back end of the draft day trade with Memphis, Perkins is a project. He's very big and showed in the summer league and in workouts that he could bang down low. Like any high-schooler, he's a few years away.