Perk out until all break

[Jon]

I'm worried when Perk comes back he'll have lost some of his explosion and lateral quickness...oh wait, he never had either of those things to begin with. 

Of all people, Kendrick is the last person to have to worry about these things.  And let's also remember that Amare Stoudemire had one, if not two, major knee surgeries and he's dunking fine these days. 

[moiso]

Fans can get too worked up about fairly routine procedures like Perk had.  I agree with Jon, that Perk's game was never based on athletic ability anyway.  And his toughness isn't going anywhere.  I think after a month of easing his way back, Perk will be the same Perk he's always been.

[manl_lui]

take your time Perk, rest up that leg, we'll need you for the playoffs

He'll be rusty but knowing Perk, he'll fight through it

[Mr October]

This news doesn't change anything.

With Perk sidelined, it is critical for the celtics to find a 4th big man to mix in with KG, JO and Davis.

[twinbree]

Wishing Perk the safest and speediest of recovery. His main strengths on defense are his brain and brawn both of which I'm confident will be as effective as ever when he returns.

[Who]

This news doesn't change anything.

With Perk sidelined, it is critical for the celtics to find a 4th big man to mix in with KG, JO and Davis.

Yeah, if it's an All-Star break return rather than late December ... it'll be more like two thirds of the season (55 games) rather than one third (28 games)

Need a rotation worthy fourth big man to slot in there with Perkins out that long.

[wdleehi]

This news doesn't change anything.

With Perk sidelined, it is critical for the celtics to find a 4th big man to mix in with KG, JO and Davis.

Yeah, if it's an All-Star break return rather than late December ... it'll be more like two thirds of the season (55 games) rather than one third (28 games)

Need a rotation worthy fourth big man to slot in there with Perkins out that long.

Oberto, Smith, Dampier if he gets waived.

[Who]

This news doesn't change anything.

With Perk sidelined, it is critical for the celtics to find a 4th big man to mix in with KG, JO and Davis.

Yeah, if it's an All-Star break return rather than late December ... it'll be more like two thirds of the season (55 games) rather than one third (28 games)

Need a rotation worthy fourth big man to slot in there with Perkins out that long.

Hmm ... not a lot of those guys left.

Kwame Brown, Louis Amundson and Craig Smith are the best talent available but each one of those players will likely have multiple suitors + there is a good chance they sign for more than the minimum. So they're probably not going to be available.

James Singleton is interesting. More a combo-forward style power forward but BBD and Jermaine can man the five, KG too, and make that work. He had a lot of offers last off-season (at the minimum) but I haven't heard much about him this year.

Kurt Thomas would be another good target. As a backup center. He is not quick enough or mobile enough to play the four for prolonged periods anymore.

Josh Powell would be next on my list. A good athlete for a power forward. Decent defender and rebounder. Scrappy, good toughness. Decent midrange J.

Then you're down to older less reliable players like Rasho Nesterovic, Brad Miller, Joe Smith, Theo Ratliff or Adonal Foyle. Or reclamation projects like a Sean Williams or Ike Diogu. Not promising.

Not a lot of options out there.

[Who]

This news doesn't change anything.

With Perk sidelined, it is critical for the celtics to find a 4th big man to mix in with KG, JO and Davis.

Yeah, if it's an All-Star break return rather than late December ... it'll be more like two thirds of the season (55 games) rather than one third (28 games)

Need a rotation worthy fourth big man to slot in there with Perkins out that long.

Oberto, Smith, Dampier if he gets waived.

Dampier would be an excellent signing.

I wonder what type of interest there will for his services if he gets waived.

San Antonio and LA still have a small portion ($1.8 to $2.4 million) of their MLEs left. Dallas have two superior centers now so that rules them out which is good, takes the previous employer out of the picture.

Miami could likely offer Dampier a larger role on a equal contract. Orlando may offer Dampier a backup job if they trade Gortat but they'd only have the minimum to offer also (similar offer as Boston).

Atlanta still has their MLE and wants a burly center. They would be a dark horse here. If they got involved they could out-bid everyone.

Utah could also get involved. They've wanted a defensive minded center for a couple of years now. They have half of their MLE left after signing Raja Bell.

Houston could be a problem team too. They want to keep Yao's minutes low as he comes back and could offer a good bit of court time to Dampier (similar to Boston while Perk is out, less than Boston once Perk returns?). They would also pay more than the minimum. Although, I read they have an offer out to Brad Miller (for more than the minimum) which I think Miller will accept. So that could rule them out.

I wouldn't be optimistic about the Celtics chances of signing Dampier if he became available. They would have a shot but there is a lot of potential competition there with a couple of teams offering either better money or a more minutes or both. Small chance it works out but not great odds.

[Mr October]

This news doesn't change anything.

With Perk sidelined, it is critical for the celtics to find a 4th big man to mix in with KG, JO and Davis.

Yeah, if it's an All-Star break return rather than late December ... it'll be more like two thirds of the season (55 games) rather than one third (28 games)

Need a rotation worthy fourth big man to slot in there with Perkins out that long.

Oberto, Smith, Dampier if he gets waived.

Dampier would be an excellent signing.

I wonder what type of interest there will for his services if he gets waived.

San Antonio and LA still have a small portion ($1.8 to $2.4 million) of their MLEs left. Dallas have two superior centers now so that rules them out which is good, takes the previous employer out of the picture.

Miami could likely offer Dampier a larger role on a equal contract. Orlando may offer Dampier a backup job if they trade Gortat but they'd only have the minimum to offer also (similar offer as Boston).

Atlanta still has their MLE and wants a burly center. They would be a dark horse here. If they got involved they could out-bid everyone.

Utah could also get involved. They've wanted a defensive minded center for a couple of years now. They have half of their MLE left after signing Raja Bell.

Houston could be a problem team too. They want to keep Yao's minutes low as he comes back and could offer a good bit of court time to Dampier (similar to Boston while Perk is out, less than Boston once Perk returns?). They would also pay more than the minimum. Although, I read they have an offer out to Brad Miller (for more than the minimum) which I think Miller will accept. So that could rule them out.

I wouldn't be optimistic about the Celtics chances of signing Dampier if he became available. They would have a shot but there is a lot of potential competition there with a couple of teams offering either better money or a more minutes or both. Small chance it works out but not great odds.

Yeah, for all your above reasons, I dont think Dampier will come to Boston.

Atlanta's got that cash burning a hole in their pocket. Houston, Utah, San Antonio make a lot of sense as the 2nd, 3rd and 4th options.

I am very much down with a Shaq/Moon trade for the pupu platter and a 1st round pick.

Or get Kurt Thomas or Kwame Brown (he could really promote himself if he were able to play in a strong defensive system -> his post defense has always been solid).

[celts60]

Given our shortage of bigs, in hindsight, do you think Ainge should have drafted Deandre Jordan instead of Giddens?  D. Jordan is at least probably better than Erden as a third string center.  Not sure myself, just wondering.

[More Banners]

Regardless of our estimation of Perk's return, we need 1-2 more bigs.  I like Singleton at PF, and Kwame and Nesterovic at C, with Kurt Thomas in the mix as well.

But the single issue that the C's have some control over is what to do with Perk!  A great guy, great work ethic, ugly mug, passion for the game, but out for most of next year, and likely not 100% upon return, questionable level of contribution in next year's playoffs, and a FA immediately after that.

I say either gamble on him by signing a guaranteed-money but fairly (modestly) priced extension, or (preferably) trade him this summer.

The questions are these:  Will Perk, coming off of rehab, but much of an upgrade over his replacement (say, Kwame or Nesterovic)?  I'm actually rather doubtful.  He may be better, but not that much, and his minutes should be rather limited, too.  Couple that with the advantage of whatever player we obtain in trade, and trading him makes much sense for the coming year.  He may leave in FA anyway.

Given that I think we have a 2-year window with JO and Ray, and that Miami will be much better after 2 years of MLE additions, and I say it's all about next year (and the one after), and sadly that also means Perk gets traded this summer for a player that can help fill any of our various roster holes.

[Meadowlark_Scal]

Danny should have looked harder at 7 footers in the draft...........or invite leftover 7 footers to camp...better find someone soon, Dampier would help, k brown maybe..either that or by some miracle we get exceptionally strong at small forward with someone......a hot scorer/rebounder.....what happened to all those 7 footers left in the draft....?  Perk...not a lot of chance for us getting him back next year..that is my 2 cents......if they say after the allstar break......he won't be near 50% then, shy on his knee, little leg strength, no timing, no jump, no speed..I'd say he is a NEXT year guy now......better break out some extra dough...so go over the cap...big deal.....what does that really cost...?  Didn't they make some serious $$$ the last few years.....Barnes maybe....the best thing about him is he will scare BBD into shape.......!

[More Banners]

Given our shortage of bigs, in hindsight, do you think Ainge should have drafted Deandre Jordan instead of Giddens?  D. Jordan is at least probably better than Erden as a third string center.  Not sure myself, just wondering.

Good point.  Actually, it's a wonder that after a certain point, picks are pretty much based on size (as the talent drops off).

[LooseCannon]

Given our shortage of bigs, in hindsight, do you think Ainge should have drafted Deandre Jordan instead of Giddens?  D. Jordan is at least probably better than Erden as a third string center.  Not sure myself, just wondering.

In hindsight, I wish they'd taken Luc Mbah a Moute,