As he left the Thunder locker room on Feb. 15, Kendrick Perkins, the former Oklahoma City center who had attended that night's game against the Knicks, said his goodbyes to a small group gathered outside.

“See y'all next Wednesday,” Perkins said.

It wasn't clear if that hinted at a return to the roster. But if the Thunder wants to bring back Perkins — who has been out of the NBA all season — it now has a roster spot for him.

Oklahoma City's trade-deadline deal on Thursday sent Cameron Payne, Anthony Morrow and Joffrey Lauvergne to the Bulls in exchange for Taj Gibson, Doug McDermott and a 2018 second-round pick, a three-for-two trade that freed up one roster spot.