I know, Kendrick Perkins isn’t a Celtic anymore. But we’re in a lockout, people, meaning news is slower than Eddy Curry on tranquilizers. Plus, the Perkins story is becoming interesting as it gets more complicated daily.

Perkins now claims complete innocence in regards to his public intoxication and disorderly conduct charges. In fact, he claims he drank nothing but water that night. (The Oklahoman)

“Although these may be misdemeanors, it’s a big deal to Kendrick,” said Denise White, a publicist for Perkins, in an emailed statement to The Oklahoman. “He’s not happy about how things happened that evening and feels like the police were out of hand.” …

The biggest falsity, White said, is Perkins reportedly being drunk.

“He was not drinking alcohol, nor was he intoxicated,” said White, CEO and founder of EAG Sports Management. “Not one drop of alcohol Friday night. We’re not sure why they said Kendrick was intoxicated.”

According to White, police didn’t administer a breathalyzer or field sobriety test at the scene or the police station.

“There are witnesses inside the club that will attest to Kendrick only drinking water that evening,” White said.

White said the altercation early Saturday morning stemmed from Perkins attempting to collect money from the club manager with whom he had struck a deal for the use of the establishment as an after party site wrapping up the event. The money, White said, was to go to Perkins’ foundation, which aims to help children learn life skills and drug-awareness. According to White, the club owner became combative with Perkins and refused to hand over the money. An assistant to Perkins diffused the situation before “the lone policeman inside the club started harassing Kendrick to leave,” White said. Once outside, White said, another officer became more combative with Perkins, pushing him and grabbing his arm. Perkins, White said, was upset and pulled away. The officer then arrested him.

“We still don’t know why he was physical with Kendrick,” White said.

Oh, cops.

Details will continue to emerge, and I assume Perkins’s name will be cleared. If he’s lying now, it’s the worst public relations mistake he could make — reputations can easily survive one public intoxication and disorderly conduct charge, but lying about said charges would likely bring backlash.