Today the Boston Celtics traded Kendrick Perkins and Nate "Shrek's Donkey" Robinson for emerging star Jeff Green and Nenad Krstic. I looked on ESPN today and I saw that 70% of the people thought the Thunder got the better deal. Well, Nate Robinson must have jumped and kneed 70% of the Sports Nation in the head...
Because this deal was worse for the Thunder.
Now clearly I see the benefit here for the Thunder. You get a big man you finally wanted in Kendrick Perkins. And, you don't have to worry about Jeff Green leaving at the end of the season. BUT, Jeff Green was part of your big three...the future that you were looking to build around those three guys to compete against the likes of Miami or Boston (the team you just made better). He is a young extremely talented player that can play almost any position. He reminds me of Lamar Odom, who by the way, is helping the Lakers stay on top this season.
For Boston this deal was amazing. You get the backup for Paul Pierce after it was announced that Marquis Daniels is out for the season. Then, Green can also backup Kevin Garnett. At the same time, you get Nenad Krstic who is a solid center. They solidified their front court for years to come.
Kendrick Perkins is just coming off an injury that caused him to be out for an extended period of time. He will NEVER put up the same kind of numbers that Jeff Green will. Sure the Thunder are getting a big man, but at what cost?
Some argue that Jeff Green was gone after this season. But he was a RESTRICTED free agent, whatever contract is offered just match it! He is pivotal to your lineup.
I think that if it was just Green for Perkins it may not have been such a bad trade. But throwing in Krstic just throws salt into the wound, you are already depleted in the front court, why add him in the deal to make the money work?
I think that once again, the Celtics made a phenomenal deal that just further solidifies their place as the best team in the NBA right now.
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