How much is Kendrick Perkins worth?

[Chris]

At 8 million per, I would think that Perkins would have very solid trade value to a wanna be contender or a true contender.

That's tough to say.  You might have thought the same thing about Tyson Chandler, who was an even better player than Perkins is right now a couple years ago, but has since become an albatross. 

The thing is, it is very tough for one dimensional players to have value once they get over the MLE. 

Not sure why you see it that way. I think its tough for a player to get above the MLE - but that's just because no one can pay them more than the MLE - their value is probably higher.

That being said with the NBA CBA as it is - you still need a dance partner - you'd need to get a contract of about the same value back and you need to get some asset that can help you get the elite talent. OKC's Presti is creative and they could really use Perk over Kristic... but who do they give back? None of the draft picks is likely to be that high going forward.

I don't think OKC would have all that much interest in Perk right now, given how good Ibaka has been.  Ibaka is basically an up tempo version of Perk.  I think they will be looking for a more well rounded big man to pair with Ibaka, who will essentially be their defensive specialist. 

As for the MLE statement.  Can you name any one all-defense/no offense players in the league, who make more than the MLE that you would give up legit value for?  I can't think of any right now.

[incoherent]

Problem is, if we trade Perk then ORL has a great chance at beating us every year in the playoffs.

[GreenFaith1819]

I'd get Perk a 10 mil a year deal, for 4-5 years. I would take into consideration the fact that the man was our primary low-post Offensive threat when KG was out last year in the playoffs. He averaged like 12 pts, 12+ boards, and well over 2 blocks during that Chicago and ORL series.

He was moving along at the same clip earlier this year, but as KG recovered his points and rebs dropped some. I think an injury limited his production as well.

He is still learning the game, and you can't take away that he is only 25, and one of the top 5 defensive centers in the game.

During the regular season, I noted only two centers that had exceptional games against him - Bogut and Kaman. Kaman was an All-Star, I think, and Bogut was awfully close to being one if I'm not mistaken.

And like Poster incoherent stated - Perkins slows down Dwight Howard. Not many Centers can do that.

For my above reasons, I would give him a 10 mil deal. A trade for him is certainly potential, but I hope that Danny gets back equal compensation for the man if this happens.

Perk brings a Lot to the table by his presence alone.

[Chris]

Problem is, if we trade Perk then ORL has a great chance at beating us every year in the playoffs.

True.  But if we don't trade Perk, my argument is we may not even be making the playoffs to get beaten by ORL.

[Mr October]

At 8 million per, I would think that Perkins would have very solid trade value to a wanna be contender or a true contender.

That's tough to say.  You might have thought the same thing about Tyson Chandler, who was an even better player than Perkins is right now a couple years ago, but has since become an albatross. 

The thing is, it is very tough for one dimensional players to have value once they get over the MLE. 

Perkins' one dimension is that he is the best defender against Dwight Howard. Perhaps the best post defender in the NBA, period. Also we're not talking about Chandler money here. In my mind there is no way Perkins should make 11 million per year.

If Chandler were healthy and making 7-8 million per year, I'd probably take him.

Plus Perkins has a better low post game on offense.

Not that Perkins is on their level, but Ben Wallace and Dennis Rodman in their primes would be worth a lot more than the MLE and they couldn't score at all.

[Mr October]

If you legitimately want to get by Orlando and the Lakers, you need a guy like Perkins to supply the lumber on defense.

Cleveland is hoping Shaq will be enough against Dwight. San Antonio is hoping Duncan will be enough to remove either Bynum or Gasol from the equation.

Anyone else is going to be stomped by ORL or LAL. I bet Atlanta wishes they had Perkins right now. I bet Utah wishes they had him. And considering that the average center is overpaid, i think there will be interest in Perkins at 7-8 million per.

[the_Bird]

Think a lot depends on what they do with Pierce.

If they decide to do a full-rebuild as soon as they can, Pierce may not want to sign an extension.  If he walks (or gets traded), they can keep Perk around at his fair value (around $10M/year).  Come 2012, they'd have Perk and Rondo on the books for ~$21M, plus whatever draft picks and other players are kicking around, cap holds and whatnot.  There would still likely be enough room under the cap where you could pursue an impact free agent in 2012, even with Perk and Rondo on the books.

But...  if Pierce signs an extension, figure something like another two years, $24M-ish, you'd be looking at Rondo, plus PP, plus Perk, plus the other cap holds and rookie deals and all that...   suddenly, you aren't looking at having much cap space.  Probably not enough if you were looking to make a run at Carmello or (*love to do this*) Durant.

So, if you decide that you MUST lock up Pierce, for all that he means to the franchise...  do you really want to lock up Perk, as well? 

Perk's a $10M player.  Hell, he was (I thougt) more like a $7M or $8M player when he signed his old contract.  Only question is whether the C's want to commit to his being one of the rebuilding blocks, or if his contract's going to get in the way of making 2012 a VERY interesting summer.

[Thruthelookingglass]

Perk is tied with PP as my favorite current Celtic.  To me he is invaluable.  Beyond offense and defense he provides work ethic and attitude.  He's young and should continue to improve even as he provides an excellent role model for younger Celtics players.

I recognize every man has his price -- but I'll let the experts and money men nail that down.  That said, I'd really be sad to see Perk go.

[Michael Anthony]

I am shocked that the bidding started at $7 million. Was this thread started by his agent? Over the last two season he has averaged about 28 minutes, 9 points and 8 rebounds.

Pros: Solid rebounder. Solid shot blocker. Good low post defender. Good shooting percentage.
Cons: Very Slow. Average Help Defender. Poor Shooter. High Turnover Player.

Again, I love Perk, but there are a ton of guys in the league who could replace that production. Heywood and Camby are free agents next season. JO, Shaq, Dampier and Magliore will be too. Dalembert is always available. Sheed could start.

Perk's youth is not a factor because he does not have upside. He will improve, but will never be great.

You do not pay a role player $7-$10 million a year.

[the_Bird]

I am shocked that the bidding started at $7 million. Was this thread started by his agent? Over the last two season he has averaged about 28 minutes, 9 points and 8 rebounds.

Pros: Solid rebounder. Solid shot blocker. Good low post defender. Good shooting percentage.
Cons: Very Slow. Average Help Defender. Poor Shooter. High Turnover Player.

Again, I love Perk, but there are a ton of guys in the league who could replace that production. Heywood and Camby are free agents next season. JO, Shaq, Dampier and Magliore will be too. Dalembert is always available. Sheed could start.

Perk's youth is not a factor because he does not have upside. He will improve, but will never be great.

You do not pay a role player $7-$10 million a year.

There ain't a guy on your list who's anywhere close to Perk on the defensive side.  I'm not convinced you build around him, but he's hella valuable to someone purely on the defensive side.  Think you're underrating how good of a one-on-one defender he is; there aren't many players in the league you can assign to handle Dwight Howard one-on-one and not get killed.  Orlando's going to be one the conference's best teams for many years; if someone wants to match up against them, they'll pay Perk. 

Besides, look at the kind of insane contract Dampier signed back five years ago; big men ALWAYS get overpaid.  He's worth what someone will pay him. 

[FLCeltsFan]

A guy who can guard Shaq and Howard one on one and who anchors the defense like he does is priceless....

[Change]

A guy who can guard Shaq and Howard one on one and who anchors the defense like he does is priceless....

100% true. I think Ainge will keep Perk. But first he'll play some mind games with him to straighten him out. It worked on Rondo.

[thirstyboots18]

I hope he doesn't play too many mind games...if I remember correctly, Perk signed a contract that was very favorable to the organization the last time, and I would hope they don't lowball him this time.  I don't think we have the room to offer him a max contract, but I do hope they would be fair, and maybe add in lots of incentives!  Perk is still young, expecially for a center, and has kept himself relatively healthy this year.  I think he should be rewarded, and I also feel that his IS part of the future of the Celtics.  Defense wins championships, they say, and Perk is an excellent defensive Center.

[kenmaine]

Those numbers are mind-boggling for a player as limited as Perk.
He does fill an important niche though. There really aren't that many quality centers around-  he's borderline adequate offensively and very good defensively, so I guess he deserves the going rate, whatever that may be.

Couple of warning flags though-
He really didn't play very well this year for whatever reason.
He has a history of shoulder problems, and also the plantar fasciatis.

So after thinking it over, and since it's not my money, I'd keep him.

[Eddie20]

Would love to be able to land Bosh, via sign and trade, for Perkins and other pieces, but that would be extremely difficult.