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Zion Williamson Boasts New Elephant Tattoo As Pelicans Star Enjoy Golf 14 Mar 19, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) drives to the basket past Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid (11) in the second half at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

'It Was a Mistake on My Part' – Kendrick Perkins Backpedals on Statement About Pelicans

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Reign Amurao | Last updated Jul 30, 2025 9:44 AM ET

Since stepping away from the NBA, Kendrick Perkins has built a career as one of the most controversial sports analysts. Perkins has vocalized questionable takes early in his career in media, often receiving backlash from fans. This time, he regrets his take about the New Orleans Pelicans, a franchise that has struggled to be competitive since rebranding their team.

According to Perkins, it’s time for the Pelicans to relocate. He expressed his opinion on the organization in February 2022, saying that the team should either be in Seattle or Las Vegas.

“I think it’s time for the Pelicans to relocate,” Perkins said. “I think a city like Seattle, a city like Las Vegas is more deserving of a basketball team.”

According to him, even with a generational talent like Zion Williamson, the Pelicans are struggling to sell tickets.

Kendrick Perkins’ hot take received backlash from the fans. In the recent video posted on “Road Trippin'” on YouTube, Perk said that he regrets saying that about his former team.

“I barked up that tree before and it was a mistake on my part… The fan base got on my heels like a pair of church socks… I was wrong, the fan base is pretty damn good. They’re just waiting for the Pelicans to do something,” Perkins said.

“I said that the Pelicans need to just sell the franchise and relocate…I get it, you have the Saints and everybody looks forward to football and football is king, but d***** you could make your way.”

"I barked up that tree before and it was a mistake on my part… The fan base got on my heels like a pair of church socks… I was wrong, the fan base is pretty damn good. They're just waiting for the Pelicans to do something"

— @KendrickPerkins on the Pelicans relocating pic.twitter.com/K6M6Cl0Xhq

— Pelicans Film Room (@PelsFilmRoom) July 29, 2025

Coming from a player who used to represent the city, Perkins’ words did not sit well with the fans. The former NBA player played 37 games during his one season with the Pelicans (2015–16).

Kendrick Perkins said Luka Doncic should be jealous of SGA

NBA Injury Report: Mavericks 'Confident' Luka Doncic Will Return to Action Before the All-Star Break 3 May 11, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) controls the ball as Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) defends during the second half during game three of the second round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander emerged as one of the best young stars in the league after winning the regular season MVP and the championship last season. Luka Doncic, on the other hand, has struggled to make noise on both awards, coming up short most of the time.

After SGA’s big wins, Kendrick Perkins said that Doncic should be jealous of the Canadian star.

“Luka had to watch a young SGA have one of the greatest individual runs in NBA history,” Perkins said. “Luka had to watch that. I hope Luka jealous. I hope he’s jealous. Matter of fact, I believe he is jealous, and you know what, in a good way, he should envy SGA. He should envy him and come back on a mission. I believe he will.”

This offseason, Doncic teased the fans with a new look. He made the latest Men’s Health magazine cover due to his incredible shape.

Los Angeles Lakers Forward Reflects on the Love Luka Doncic Received From the Fans 1 Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers warms up before a game against the Dallas Mavericks in Dallas on Wednesday. Image Credit: Sam Hodde / Getty Images

This article first appeared on Hardwood Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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