Kendrick Perkins, the NBA analyst known for his outspoken opinions and sometimes questionable takes, found himself in hot water after making a recent comparison of the Golden State Warriors‘ acquisition of Jimmy Butler to landing Nicki Minaj instead of Beyonce or Taylor Swift.
Kendrick Perkins Backtracks: Apologizes After Nicki Minaj Comment Sparks Chaos Over Jimmy Butler’s Golden State Warriors Trade
The NBA trade deadline this year was a whirlwind of activity. Luka Doncic’s landing in Los Angeles Lakers put everyone in a frenzy but it was the Jimmy Butler trade to the Golden State Warriors that got tongues wagging. While many analysts praised the move, former NBA champion Kendrick Perkins had a different take, comparing the Warriors’ acquisition to landing Nicki Minaj instead of Beyonce or Taylor Swift. Perkins, known for his outspoken nature, caused a stir with his analogy on NBA Today.
He said, “The Warriors’ ceiling with Jimmy Butler right now is a first-round exit, okay? Listen. I was looking for the Warriors. I’m thinking that they’re going to go out there and, you know, go get a Beyonce or Taylor Swift. They end up getting a Nicki Minaj. And that’s OK. But that’s not Barbie’s gonna get ya boy.”
Soon after this statement, Perkins got a major backlash from the Barbz fan club and he was seen issuing an apology on his social media. The statement reads, “Wish I would’ve known about the Barbz before my Nicki Minaj take… don’t charge it to my heart 🤣 My apologies, I don’t want no smoke!”
Perkins’ initial statement, while perhaps intended to be humorous, sparked a lively debate about the merits of different superstars in the music industry. It also serves as a reminder that even seasoned NBA analysts can sometimes get caught up in the heat of the moment and make controversial comparisons.
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Whether Perkins’ concerns about the Warriors’ ceiling with Butler will prove to be accurate remains to be seen. One thing is certain: his Nicki Minaj comment will likely be remembered as one of the most talked-about moments of the 2025 NBA trade deadline.