OKC Thunder: Kendrick Perkins to miss Wednesday game with knee sprain as trade talks surface

Perkins was seen sitting on the sideline at Wednesday morning’s shoot-around receiving treatment from the team’s medical staff. When he rose to gather his belongings before exiting the ToyotaCenter, Perkins moved slowly and walked with a pronounced limp.

“We’ll see how he feels tomorrow when we go back to OKC,” said Thunder coach Scott Brooks. “We’ll evaluate it tomorrow.”

News of the injury arrived on the same morning that a report in the ArizonaRepublic said the Thunder and Suns were engaged in trade discussions for Perkins over the All-Star break. The report said the Thunder would receive Suns center Marcin Gortat and forward P.J. Tucker in a discussed deal in exchange for Perkins, rookie Jeremy Lamb and a first-round pick.

A team official said Perkins’ injury is legitimate and essentially dismissed the notion that it had anything to do with Wednesday morning’s report.

Thursday’s 2 p.m. trade deadline, though, is quickly approaching and again it’s bringing its annual amount of angst over what, if anything, might unfold.

“I’ve been here six years now, and you’re never shocked about what happens in the NBA because anything can happen in the last hour,” said Kevin Durant. “So I’m never shocked…We’re just waiting to see what happens.

“I like where we are. We’re 39-14. If you want to make big changes to that, I guess. But I like where we are right now. We’ll see what happens. You never know in this league.”