Kendrick Perkins is a prominent figure in the basketball world. While he never reached the level of success achieved by LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, or Michael Jordan, he was regarded as a reliable role player during his career.
Today, Perkins works as an NBA analyst for ESPN. He has become a polarizing presence since joining the broadcast team, with some critics calling for his dismissal. Perkins, however, has expressed little concern about the possibility of being let go.
Kendrick Perkins Explains Why He Would Not Be Concerned if ESPN Dismissed Him
Perkins won one NBA championship, helping the Boston Celtics capture the title in 2008. After 14 seasons in the league, he retired.
Perkins has been with ESPN for about six years, joining the network in October 2019 on a multi-year deal. He has appeared on programs including “NBA Countdown,” “NBA Today,” and “First Take.”
Despite ESPN’s continued support, many fans have voiced dissatisfaction with Perkins’ commentary. He has developed a reputation for controversial remarks about players and teams, with his opinions often drawing negative reactions.
This has led to calls from fans for ESPN to part ways with him. Perkins himself has acknowledged the possibility, but said he would not be troubled if it happened.
“If ESPN fired me today, I would lose no sleep,” Perkins said live on “NBA Countdown.” “You know why? Because somebody in Boston would hire me. It wouldn’t have to be in the organization, but there’d be someone around the city.”
“If ESPN fired me today I would lose no sleep. You know why? Because somebody in Boston would hire me”
– @KendrickPerkins
pic.twitter.com/dBB1vTssLA— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) February 8, 2026
According to multiple reports, Perkins is not expected to leave ESPN soon. In 2024, he signed a multi-year contract extension with the network.
Perkins appeared in two NBA Finals with the Boston Celtics. In the 2008 Finals, when the Celtics defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in six games, Kendrick Perkins averaged 4.0 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks across five contests.
His strongest outing of that series came in Game 3, when he posted 8 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks in a game the Lakers won 87-81.
In the 2010 Finals, Perkins averaged 5.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.0 assists over six games. He recorded a 12-point, 6-rebound performance and a 5-point, 11-rebound effort in a series where the Lakers avenged their earlier loss, defeating Boston in seven games.
Following his tenure in Boston, Perkins joined the Oklahoma City Thunder, where he played five seasons and averaged 4.2 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. He reached the NBA Finals again but fell to LeBron James and the Miami Heat.
He later spent time with the Cleveland Cavaliers and the New Orleans Pelicans.