Perk is untouchable

[indeedproceed]

Ironically because of Perk's contract and obviously increasing skillset...yes. Perk is one of the more "untouchable" guys on our roster. Nobody is completely untouchable, however.

I'd argue because of his very reasonable contract he's probably the third most "valuable" rather than untouchable. His contract is a big part of why he's an attractive piece.

Perkins at 8+ million for 3+ years, probably not very inticing to a team. Perkins at 4 million for two more years on the other hand.....

You need a plan to bring in a big to take over for him, but if the right value is there you pull the trigger.

Yeah I'd agree with almost all that. I guess my point was that although like you say his contract makes him attractive to other teams, his contract also makes him the perfect fit for us.

[Bankshot]

Ironically because of Perk's contract and obviously increasing skillset...yes. Perk is one of the more "untouchable" guys on our roster. Nobody is completely untouchable, however.

I'd argue because of his very reasonable contract he's probably the third most "valuable" rather than untouchable. His contract is a big part of why he's an attractive piece.

Perkins at 8+ million for 3+ years, probably not very inticing to a team. Perkins at 4 million for two more years on the other hand.....

You need a plan to bring in a big to take over for him, but if the right value is there you pull the trigger.

And if his replacement is not as good defensively and can't defend Howard effectively? Disaster for the Celtics.

[BuckeyeCelt]

It's ok, I think patty O'Bryant will be available!!!

[Fafnir]

Ironically because of Perk's contract and obviously increasing skillset...yes. Perk is one of the more "untouchable" guys on our roster. Nobody is completely untouchable, however.

I'd argue because of his very reasonable contract he's probably the third most "valuable" rather than untouchable. His contract is a big part of why he's an attractive piece.

Perkins at 8+ million for 3+ years, probably not very inticing to a team. Perkins at 4 million for two more years on the other hand.....

You need a plan to bring in a big to take over for him, but if the right value is there you pull the trigger.

And if his replacement is not as good defensively and can't defend Howard effectively? Disaster for the Celtics.

His replacement doesn't need to replicate Perkins's fantastic post-season performance in the post against Howard. Gasol with effective double teams in the Finals allowed the Lakers to handle Howard. If the skillset that Perkins nets in return makes us a better team overall, we can find ways to deal with Howard.

I'd also like to add the Howard still beat the hell out of us in a lot other areas. Mostly after Perkins was forced to help, but it still happened. This wasn't like when KG made Amar'e or Bosh disappear completely for a game. Howard still got his off the offensive glass, which is why the Celtics lost in the end.....

[MrTripleDouble10]

Who would you guys put as untouchable? I know anyone can always be traded but these are the guys that we cannot trade.

KG - nuff said

Perkins - Only making 4 mil a year (best value in NBA. I was going through the centers in the NBA and who I would choose ahead of Perk. I hate his always smiling demeanor but I'd have to take Howard over Perk. Yao gets hurt too much. Shaq sucks. Jermaine O'Neal no. Bynum, please!
It's the way he plays. That no BS attitude and his huge chip on his shoulder that he carries around. If Howard just had Perk's attitude and toughness then he could be one of the best of alltime but he's such a pansy.

Eddie - He brings that enthusiasm and togetherness of that team. Even when he was never playing, he would still be the craziest on the bench. When they say chemistry is important, having Eddie House is a perfect example.



That's about it. I don't want to trade Rondo but I could see myself trading him in the right scenario. Allen the same and the same with Paul. However, I say we go another year with the core. Sign a wing off the bench and upgrade at backup point and most importantly a big with length that isn't a stiff like Mikki or OBryant.

Perk for #2 pick is ridiculous. If that's Thabeet then how do we improve. After losing to Michigan State, he was back in stands wearing shades. If Evans could shoot then I'd be interested but how does he fit. He's more of a combo than a point and we all know how rookies do in the playoffs. We need to win NOW Ainge. Come on don't screw this up!

Wait... so if the Cavs called up Ainge and said "We'll trade you staright up LeBron for KG," would you do it?  Your answer should be yes.
Look, the only truly "untouchable" players in this LEAGUE are probably LeBron, Kobe, Dwight and maybe Chris Paul.  Everyone else can be traded for one of those 4 guys, and the team that acquired one of those 4 guys would be seen as landslide winners in said deal every single time.

[vwoodruff]

I was going to start a thread like this yesterday before the Memphis rumor...

I could deal with the Cs trading Allen. I have come to accept that the Cs could deal Rondo for the right piece(s). Perk? Hell no...

We have a starting center that is a defensive anchor (even without KG on the floor), who has improved his offensive game every year, and provides the mean streak a championship team needs. I can't think of many players in this league that the Cs could get to adequately replace Perk. Look through this list...

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players?league=nba&position=c

Players that even warrant consideration? Bogut, Camby, Duncan, Gasol, Nene, Horford, Howard, Jefferson, Kaman, Lopez, Ming, Okafor, O'Neal... of these guys, many are overpaid, past their prime, or unavailable.

Bogut - has more offense but not intangibles
Camby - too much $$$ for what's left in the tank
Duncan - likely unavailable and breaking down
Gasol - unavailable
Nene - not sure he's an upgrade
Horford - I'd think about it
Howard - no-brainer but unavailable
Jefferson - I seriously think Perk is more valuable to the Cs than Al Jefferson... and I love Al Jefferson
Kaman - too much $$$
Lopez - sure, but he;s likely unavailable
Ming - unavailable
Okafor - overpaid
O'Neal - overpaid for what's left in the tank

And there is no way that Thabeet is worth the risk. He has bust written all over him.

KEEP PERK!

[BballTim]

To trade Perk at this point in the game is absolutely insane.  Unless the C's were going to land Dwight Howard, Tim Duncan, or Yao Ming, anyone else is going to be a downgrade for this team.  Might some in the draft be better than him in 3 years?  Maybe.  But how's that going to help a team relying on 3 aging superstars?  It isn't.

For years we used to talk about a Shaq-stopper.  Well it seems we've now stumbled across a Dwight Howard-stopper.  We don't need to be giving that away. 

Agreed. Perkins, despite his shoulder issues, is FINALLY one of Ainge's kids worth all the hyperbole this board spins out: Outstanding defender, offensive game coming around, mental game developing - all the things people claim Rondo is, but really isn't.

  Here's what you don't seem to get. You're talking about Perk's game "coming around" and "developing". He's about a year and a half older than Rondo and he's been on the team for three more years than Rajon. Perk wasn't getting (or deserving of) all of this praise 2 years ago. Certainly not as much as Rondo's receiving now.

  Rondo's shown significant improvement each year and there's no reason to expect that to stop. Young players, shockingly,  tend to mature as they gain experience. The people who constantly harp on the fact that Rondo's more inconsistent or his game is less polished than people who are older than him and have played significantly more games are missing the point. Rondo is already one of the best PGs in the league in spite of his faults, many of which will diminish over time.

[vwoodruff]

The reality is that the Cs have a strong player with a favorable contract at the most difficult position to fill in the NBA...

[Fafnir]

The reality is that the Cs have a strong player with a favorable contract at the most difficult position to fill in the NBA...

But what if we could get an elite player for that strong one? I'd be upset unless Danny brings back a big time player if we're losing Perkins, but if you can get a more complete player for him you do it.

[JSD]

I don't freakin get it. Why Perk? Is it a precursor to Amare? the idea of this trade is just silly. As the OP stated he's the best center value for Dollar C in the NBA.

[vwoodruff]

The reality is that the Cs have a strong player with a favorable contract at the most difficult position to fill in the NBA...

But what if we could get an elite player for that strong one? I'd be upset unless Danny brings back a big time player if we're losing Perkins, but if you can get a more complete player for him you do it.

Give me a name... unless it's Howard, Lopez, Ming, maybe Horford, I can't think of anyone. Stoudamire? I would rather have Perk's complementary defense and tenacity at the price the Cs are paying than spend what it would cost (in $ and assets) for Amare's offense.

[Chris]

I don't think anyone is truly untouchable, and if the C's could turn Perkins into the #2 pick in the draft, I think you would have to look at it. 

Perkins is incredibly valuable, and has a great contract, however, he also has a bum shoulder, and may not be a great building-block once the big 3 are gone, and he is not as much of a bargain anymore (I expect him to be looking for a new contract starting at a minimum of $7-8 million, and there is a good chance, he will be making $10+ million per year on his next deal).

To me, the key will be what the diagnosis of his shoulder is, but if they foresee the problems to continue, if not getting worse, it could make a lot of sense to move him now, if they can get such good value for him as the #2 pick.  They could then either try to trade down a bit, or use that pick on someone like Harden, Trade Ray Allen for Chandler and Antonio Daniels, and then use the trade exception from trading Perk and Walker just for the pick to get someone like DeShawn Stevenson.  And then of course filling out the roster with a big man like Sheed or McDyess, and maybe an vet minimum wing like Dahntay Jones, and resign Powe to a minimum contract.

Then you have a roster like:

Rondo/Daniels/House
Stevenson/Harden/House
Pierce/Jones/Harden
KG/Sheed/Powe/Scal
Chandler/Sheed

And you also have a young core of Rondo, Harden, Powe, and Chandler to build around as the Big 3 fade away. 

That roster would be significantly better defensively than last years, and possibly the year before, and while they lose a little offense from the first unit (although Chandler is an offensive upgrade over Perkins), the second unit is vastly superior with Sheed, Daniels, and Harden.

[ma11l]

I agree with Chris, I hate to say it but I don't think anyone is untouchable this offseason.

[Jon]

Again, I think people aren't taking into account the C's very special circumstances here.  Generally speaking, I agree with the notion that you shouldn't label anyone untouchable.  However, when you have three aging superstars who probably only have a combined 2 years left at type performance, when talking about trading for draft picks, I think it's pretty safe to say that Perkins is untouchable. 

Unless Ainge is convinced one of the topic picks is a top 10 NBA talent of all time (and thus would pretty much guarantee future championships like Jordan/Bird/Johnson/Russell, etc), I say we just stick with what we have.  And I don't think that's the case.  The fact that a draft pick will be better than Perk in 3 years means nothing if the team isn't going to win a title next year. 

[Chris]

Again, I think people aren't taking into account the C's very special circumstances here.  Generally speaking, I agree with the notion that you shouldn't label anyone untouchable.  However, when you have three aging superstars who probably only have a combined 2 years left at type performance, when talking about trading for draft picks, I think it's pretty safe to say that Perkins is untouchable. 

Unless Ainge is convinced one of the topic picks is a top 10 NBA talent of all time (and thus would pretty much guarantee future championships like Jordan/Bird/Johnson/Russell, etc), I say we just stick with what we have.  And I don't think that's the case.  The fact that a draft pick will be better than Perk in 3 years means nothing if the team isn't going to win a title next year. 

But I think there are scenarios where the C's could make their team better next year AND in the 3 years, if they play it right.