Kendrick Perkins: Kevin Garnett wants to return to Celtics

After exiting the Celtics' Game 7 loss against the Miami Heat, Kevin Garnett's plans for next season have been murky. (Nathaniel S. Butler/Getty Images)

After speaking with Kevin Garnett, Oklahoma City forward/center Kendrick Perkins believes that Garnett wants to return to play with the Boston Celtics next season.

Garnett's 2012-13 season plans have been something of a mystery since he did not speak to the media after the Celtics fell in the Eastern Conference finals to the Miami Heat. Reports of Garnett's offseason activity have ranged from retirement to possibly being interested in joining Tim Duncan with the San Antonio Spurs.

Perkins, though, told The Boston Globe that he has spoken with the primary source, Garnett. And he thinks that Garnett, an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career, will re-sign with the Celtics and head coach Doc Rivers.

“I feel like if he does return to basketball, I think that that would be the team,’’ Perkins said of the Celtics. “I heard Kevin say a few times that he wouldn’t want to play for anybody but Doc, so it will be interesting to see. I still think he got a lot more years in him. He got a lot of love for the game and it would be hard to see Kevin walk away from the game right now.’’

Perkins added that he hopes Garnett comes back. "It’s good for the NBA," Perkins said. "He’s still an icon in the league and you just like to see what he brings to the table.’’