Perkins has quad strain, will miss part of Thunder training camp

Oklahoma City Thunder center Kendrick Perkins has a strained quadriceps muscle and will miss part of the team's training camp, general manager Sam Presti said.

Fans and analysts alike have been clamoring for years for head coach Scott Brooks to replace Perkins in the starting lineup and for Presti to amnesty the big man's contract.

However, the team has remained stubborn on Perkins, who is entering the final year of a contract that will pay him more than $9 million this season.

Perkins averaged 3.4 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists for the Thunder last season. He has posted a player efficiency rating (PER) below 10 in four consecutive seasons, including a career-low 6.3 PER last season - the league average is 15.

A strained groin suffered in February limited Perkins to just 62 games played last season. Perkins has started all 222 games he's played for the Thunder since joining the team via trade from Boston during the 2010-11 season.