DeMarcus Cousins, Kendrick Perkins

Kendrick Perkins, right, shown batting for a rebound against Sacramento center DeMarcus Cousins last month, is interested in joining the Cavaliers, Northeast Ohio Media Group has learned.

(AP)

NEW YORK - Kendrick Perkins will soon be a free agent and has narrowed his choices to the Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Clippers, league sources told Northeast Ohio Media Group.

Perkins is in the final stages of negotiations for a buyout from the Utah Jazz and is strongly leaning towards signing with the Cavaliers, but will make his decision on Sunday, sources said.



Perkins, 30, is the "best available big" and gives the Cavs "things they don't have," according to a source. He is said to view Cleveland as "an attractive destination."



Oklahoma traded Perkins to Utah at the trade deadline on Thursday.

The 6-10 Perkins joined the Thunder during the 2010-11 season and immediately gave them some needed toughness. With their enforcer, the team reached the Western Conference Finals three times in four years. Perkins lost his starting job to second-year player Steven Adams this season.

The 12-year veteran is in the final year of a five-year deal. Most of Perkins' $9.6 million salary has been paid. He is due just over $3 million for the rest of this season. Perkins is averaging 4.0 and 5.5 rebounds in 19.2 minutes per game.

The Cavaliers play at New York on Sunday at 1 p.m.

- NEOMG reporter Joe Vardon contributed to this report.