Advertisement - scroll for more content
Kendrick Perkins: Mine was the trade that didn’t happen—late in my career. I’m playing for the Pelicans, and it probably cost me a championship, to be honest. Either way, it did. I was backing up Alexis [Ajinça], veteran presence in the locker room. This is when I developed relationships with Anthony Davis, Jrue Holiday, etc. We weren’t winning s*** at the time. Dell Demps—by the way, I don’t have a lot of people I hate. I despise him. I wish the worst for him in a basketball sense. I’m not afraid to say it. I’d tell him to his face. I can’t stand that m**********. He’s a liar. He’s lied to so many people. He’s a snake. I hate him.
Kendrick Perkins: At the trade deadline, I get a text from Bron: “Hey, we about to come get you.” Matter of fact, I’m lying. Bron came to New Orleans. He tells me, “We’re about to come get you. We want you on the team, on the bench.” I’m like, “Cool.” Then KD texts me: “Hey Perk, we want you in OKC.” Both teams trying to trade for me. Cleveland offered a second-round pick. This is the year they won the title. Also the year OKC blew the 3–1 lead to Golden State. Dell Demps comes to me and says, “We’re not trading you, Perk. We want you here for our locker room. You’re going to retire a Pelican.” I said, “Okay. So you’re telling me…” He says, “Yeah. We want you here the next two years. Retire here. We’ve got a plan.” I’m like, “Oh, s***.” Two more years. Cool. At that point, I didn’t know where my career was going. Once you’re on vet minimum, you get stuck on vet minimum. So he turns down both teams. End of the season, he says, “I’mma knock these moves out and we’ll get you straight.”
Kendrick Perkins: Then the Rockets reach out. Daryl Morey calls me: “Hey Perk, James [Harden] wants you on the bench. We got a vet minimum for you in Houston, your hometown.” I turned it down because I’d already given my word to Dell. Thought it was the right thing to do. Then they sign Nene. As soon as I turned it down, next thing I know—they sign Nene. Summer goes on. I’m watching other guys sign deals. I don’t hear from Dell Demps. I contact him in August: “Hey D, what we doing?” He calls me and says, “Yeah, after rethinking some things, we think it’s best to let the young guys roll and not bring you back.” I’m like, “What the f***?” I cussed his ass out on the phone. Hung up. Truth is—I had no more options. That year, I was out of the league. No job. You possibly cost me a championship. I turned down actual offers. The Rockets contacted me the first week of free agency: “We got a vet minimum for you. Stay in Houston.” Next year? Nothing. No job.
Kendrick Perkins: I’m not blaming Dell Demps for the direction of my entire NBA career. But he played a huge f***ing part. He took one or two years off my career. I could’ve been on a bench clapping 1,500 times a season. Instead, he shortened my career—by being a snake and lying. I’ve told this story before. I’ll tell it again. I can’t stand him. He knows it. I saw him in Minnesota—he works in the front office there—and he couldn’t even look me in the eye.
Fletcher Mackel: For perspective, Joe Dumars has deep ties to Pelicans/Saints. I’ve reported on these connections for years. During shaky Dell Demps tenure, right after Benson ownership took over the NBA team, Dumars almost joined franchise. Now he’s in charge. I’m told he’s “our guy, one of us.”
Advertisement
Connelly and front-office executive Dell Demps, who knows Gobert well from their time together in Utah, went to the locker room to address the situation. Connelly told Gobert that the organization decided to send him home, and Gobert changed and headed for the exit while his team took the floor for the second half.
Timberwolves still targeting Rudy Gobert
Darren Wolfson: I know I’m on record saying it’s hard to see Gobert actually landing here. But the #Timberwolves interest in pairing him with KAT continues to be very real. Former Utah ass’t Dell Demps now in Wolves front office has the book on him.
Dell Demps joining Timberwolves front office
Jon Krawczynski: The Timberwolves are finalizing an agreement with Dell Demps to join Tim Connelly’s front office staff, sources tell @Shams Charania and me. Demps will work closely with Connelly, Sachin Gupta, Matt Lloyd, Joe Branch and Manny Rohan as the draft looms
Michael Singer: Have heard two names who could be joining Tim Connelly in Minnesota, per sources: Darrell Arthur and Dell Demps. Arthur recently started working for the #Nuggets, and Demps gave Connelly one of his first breaks in New Orleans. Both are very close with Connelly.
Tony Jones: Dell Demps steps directly into Johnnie Bryant’s role on the bench, league sources tell The Athletic. The Jazz shy away from assigning hierarchy among assistants. But if Quin Snyder gets kicked out of a game, Alex Jensen would take over
Advertisement
The Utah Jazz announced today that the team has added Dell Demps and Keyon Dooling to its coaching staff. “I was fortunate to work with Dell to begin my career as a head coach in professional basketball and I know he will delve into his role on the bench,” said Head Coach Quin Snyder.“ He has an incredible work ethic and commitment to his craft. His vast experience both as a player and in front office roles brings a unique perspective that will be invaluable to our team, we’re excited to welcome him to the Jazz.”
Dell Demps to join Utah as assistant coach
Adrian Wojnarowski: Former New Orleans Pelicans general manager Dell Demps has agreed to join the Utah Jazz as an assistant coach, reuniting with Quin Snyder, sources tell ESPN.
Adrian Wojnarowski: After leaving New Orleans in 2019, Demps decided he wanted to transition to coaching and spent time in Utah attending practices and meetings with Snyder and his Jazz staff. They were together with G-League Austin 2007-2010 and built a strong working and personal relationship.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement