Trade Idea: Perk/Nate for Mehmet Okur

[snively]

With 10 games in the books, the Celtics have shown a remarkable capacity for playing high level defense without Kendrick Perkins.  But their offense still hovers around league average.

Perk's return will likely bolster our already sterling defense, but his stone hands and plodding offensive maneuvers could also drag on our more vulnerable offense.

In Utah, it's a different story altogether, with Millsap emerging as 20+ per night guy and Al Jefferson eager for any shots available behind him, and neither of them much use on the defensive end.  Okur's return bolsters their already impressive offensive firepower at the big spots but it does little to staunch their porous interior defense.

Thus it makes sense for the two teams to trade injured offensive big for injured defensive big.

Okur would provide a tremendous offensive boost for the Celtics. As a 38% (40% over his last 4 seasons) shooter from deep, he provides unmatched floor-spacing at the 5 spot, with a nice pick and roll/pop game to boot. Unlike Sheed, he does a decent job on the boards as well.  While opposing defenses are usually willing to concede 20 footers to KG and Big Baby to deny Rondo access to the rim, open 3s for Okur would be another matter entirely.  The C's offense would be an order of magnitude greater

For Utah, Perk is a defensive anchor along the lines of Greg Ostertag (who started almost 300 hundred games for Jerry Sloan) and surely a breath of fresh air for a team that has never had an answer for the Lakers' size.  That he's buds with Al Jefferson can't hurt.  Throw in Nate, who represents a huge offensive upgrade over Ronnie Price and I think Utah would be tempted mightily.

What do you think?

[Change]

Got the Need 4 Sheed? I know I do.

[GreenFaith1819]

Can we get by Dwight and the Magic in a 7-Game series with Okur?

[Bankshot]

Bad trade.  Just get Sheed.

[Celtics4ever]

I think our D is ok and its way to early to make such a move.   Why make it?

[nba is the worst]

Better than Sheed, yes.  Worth trading Perk/Nate for? NO.

[EJPLAYA]

This is a great trade for UTAH, but why would we even consider that?! Who's going to battle with Howard down low? Perk is so much better than the shooting guard Okur that it isn't even funny.

[snively]

Bad trade.  Just get Sheed.

Sheed is nowhere near the shooter/scorer and rebounder that Okur is at this point in their careers (if Sheed can be considered to still have a career.) 

[pearljammer10]

Perk and Nate for Okur? Awful...

One of the biggest complaints on the board is lack of rebounding, and lack of true centers to bang inside and provide post presence. You want to trade on of the best defensive centers in the league, great rebounder, and a key piece to our championship contending starting 5 for a Center ho hardly steps foot inside the 3 point line? Plus throw in our best guard off the bench? I dont see how this makes any logic whatsoever.

[snively]

Perk and Nate for Okur? Awful...

One of the biggest complaints on the board is lack of rebounding, and lack of true centers to bang inside and provide post presence. You want to trade on of the best defensive centers in the league, great rebounder, and a key piece to our championship contending starting 5 for a Center ho hardly steps foot inside the 3 point line? Plus throw in our best guard off the bench? I dont see how this makes any logic whatsoever.

I think you're thinking of last year's complaints.  With Shaq on board, KG rejuvenated, Paul putting in work and, hopefully, Jermaine chipping in, rebounding is not much of problem at all thus far, and that's with Perk contributing nothing and two poor rebounders in Baby and Semih seeing a combined 40 minutes per game.  And it's not like Okur is a terrible rebounder.  He is a level below Perk on the boards but a head above the likes of Sheed, Baby and Semih   

While it's true that Perk will bang inside, he is nowhere near a post presence.  With Shaq on board, Perk's minutes as a banger are mostly filled.       

And, I probably should have mentioned this in the OP, but Okur is a surprisingly good post defender, even measuring out better than Perk (and just behind Dwight Howard) in one-on-one post defense opportunities.  (http://www.thedreamshake.com/2010/5/11/1468295/why-retain-chuck-hayes-a)

Of 200+ post-up chances, opponents scored 36.1% of the against Okur, compared to 35.8% for Howard, 36.2% for Perk, 37.4% for Al Horford, 39.4% for Duncan and 46.2% for the similarly framed Marc Gasol.  He also forced turnovers in 15.5% of those opportunities, a mark much higher than Perk 10.2%.  Arguably, Okur was the slightly better post defender than Perk last year. 

[wdleehi]

I rather Perk to throw out there and bang with the big boys the Celtics need to beat.  (LA and Orlando).



The combination of Perk and Shaq will wear out any C over a 7 game series. 

[houlana]

bad trade

[KobeShesNotConsenting!]

I think this is a really good idea. While were at it lets see if we can get devon harris for rondo! Hey he shoots better right?

[xmuscularghandix]

I think this is a really good idea. While were at it lets see if we can get devon harris for rondo! Hey he shoots better right?

LOL

[Fafnir]

I don't think giving up Perkins for anything less than a young piece to pair with Rondo is a good idea.

He fits too well with the team's current contending line up.