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.
I'd say the chances of that happening in a deal that involves trading arguably the best defensive center in the NBA is minimal at best, especially if we're talking about trading him for a draft pick. The last thing young players grasp is NBA team defense, which is exactly what makes the Celtics so dominant. I feel like people are forgetting why we beat the Lakers two years ago. They were the better team on paper, but we played better defense and more like a team. Now I feel like people are ready to throw those two traits out the window and get better on paper.
Unfortunately, there's been a lot of good teams on paper that never did anything.
If we were the Utah Jazz, the New Orleans Hornets, or even the Orlando Magic, and we were young and seemingly just one deal away from being the best team in the NBA, I'd be all for shaking things up. However, we're old, but in my book, the still the best team in the NBA. I don't know why people are so eager to risk next season on the outside chance we might improve things down the road.
I'd much rather keep the team together for another year. If Ray puts up another good year, there's no reason why the C's can't just extend him another year and bring up all these trade scenarios next year.
