Kendrick Perkins Break Silence on Nicki Minaj Dig Hours After Public Roast Against Platinum Rapper

The former NBA big man-turned-ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins found himself in hot water after making a bold comparison while discussing the Golden State Warriors’ interest in Jimmy Butler. Perkins dropped a spicy analogy—saying the Warriors thought they were getting Beyoncé or Taylor Swift, but ended up with Nicki Minaj. That take didn’t sit well with the Barbz, Minaj’s fiercely loyal fanbase. And now, Big Perk is setting the record straight.

Addressing the backlash, Perkins took to X to clear the air. “Wish I would’ve known about the Barbz before my Nicki Minaj take…don’t charge it to my heart 🤣” he posted, signaling that he had no ill intent. But that wasn’t all—he followed up with another message: “My apologies, I don’t want no smoke!” It’s clear that Perkins quickly realized the power of Minaj’s fanbase and wanted to avoid any unnecessary drama.

But what exactly did he say that set things off? While breaking down the Butler trade, Kendrick Perkins said, “I’m thinking they are gonna go out there and get a Beyoncé or Taylor Swift. They end up getting a Nicki Minaj…and that’s okay.” While he didn’t outright dismiss Minaj, the implication was clear—he didn’t see her at the same level as the other two icons.

Of course, that’s a debatable take. While Swift and Beyoncé are global superstars, Minaj has built her own empire. She’s the highest-selling female rapper of all time and has influenced a generation of artists. Whether she’s on their level is up for discussion, but dismissing her impact? That’s a tough sell.

Still, basketball remains Perkins’ main focus. And despite the Butler trade rumors, he doesn’t see the move making much of a difference. “The Warriors’ ceiling right now with Butler is a first-round exit,” he predicted. Considering Butler led an eighth-seeded Miami Heat team to the NBA Finals just two years ago, that’s a pretty big drop-off. Butler, however, feels the other way.

Butler is the missing piece for the Warriors’ championship hopes?

Jimmy Butler himself thinks that. In a video posted on the Warriors’ official X page, he couldn’t contain his enthusiasm: “Yo Dub Nation! Jimmy Butler here. Just touched down to do this physical. Super excited. Ready to win, ready to work, ready to put on a show for y’all. Let’s get it. Championship coming soon,” he said.

But does adding Butler make the Warriors a stronger team? Well, it’s a mixed bag. While Butler’s scoring and leadership are undeniable, the Warriors lost Andrew Wiggins in the trade to bring him in. Wiggins may not have been a top scorer like Curry or Thompson, but his defense, especially with that massive wingspan, was crucial for the team. Without him, the Warriors are going to need someone else to step up on that end.

Enter Butler. While he’s no defensive specialist like Wiggins, he brings other tools to the table, like elite playmaking and scoring. That said, his effort level can be inconsistent—he’s only played 25 games this season, and he’s averaging 3 points less per game than last year.

Right now, Butler’s stats stand at 17 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.8 assists. With the Warriors, he’ll need to bring a no-nonsense, go-getter attitude and step up in clutch moments. Whether he can live up to the hype or if Kendrick Perkins’ critique rings true, only time will tell.