Report: Heat will target Perk in free agency

[Roy H.]

One league source said the Miami Heat are expected to make a run at Boston Celtics center Kendrick Perkins(notes) after he becomes a free agent this summer, even though the Heat will be limited with what they can offer

Link.

No surprise there.  I expect that a lot of teams will target Perk with their MLE this summer, assuming there is a season and that the CBA stays roughly the same as it is now.

The question for the Celtics is, do you match or exceed an MLE offer to Perk?  It's very reasonable value for him, but at the same time it handcuffs the Celtics if they want to be active in the 2012 free agent sweepstakes (Dwight Howard).  Do the Celtics take the bird in the hand, or go for the one in the bush?

As for Perk, if the money is equal, does he stay with the Celts, or try for greener pastures in Miami?  The Heat are a team on the rise, and the Celts will be a team on the decline in a couple of years.  Does Perk value loyalty, or an easier road to championships?

[pearljammer10]

Tough decision for the Celts coming up. He is going to be a hot commodity and I think he may bolt for a contract that sets him up for life financially. There will be a few teams in need of a center that will be able to offer him much more than the MLE. I would love to keep him on the Celtics but not for 9 to 10 million a year.

So far, this season he has played like he deserves a healthy contract though.

[Celtics18]

Perk as a Miami Heat along with Wade, James and Bosh would equal serious emotional pain for me.  

Boy, do I like Kendrick Perkins as a Celtic.  His value to me goes beyond his on court contributions.  That guy is a Celtic through and through, and the thought of potentially losing him fills me with despair.

[Neurotic Guy]

Perk's surprisingly quick return to form (actually looks even better, doesn't he?) makes any risk that off-season suitors might have considered feel less every day.  I think he'll have multiple suitors and I wonder if an S&T scenario might emerge allowign Perk to get a better than MLE contract with a contender while C's at least get some value in return and not blow up the 2012 off-season plan.  I love Perk and want him here, but we can't deny that the C's played well in his absense.

[ssspence]

I think they'll keep Perk for around the MLE. He could likely be S&T'd for the likes of Howard if he wanted to come the Cs anyway, no?

[bdm860]

The question for the Celtics is, do you match or exceed an MLE offer to Perk?  It's very reasonable value for him, but at the same time it handcuffs the Celtics if they want to be active in the 2012 free agent sweepstakes (Dwight Howard).  Do the Celtics take the bird in the hand, or go for the one in the bush?

See the thing is, I think it's okay to give Perk a contract that will at first appear to limit us in 2012.  Unless his knee really is messed up, and he his continually injured now, I think he'll be a very trade-able commodity. It seems like Centers, even with bigger contracts, get traded a lot.  Marcus Camby, Samuel Dalembert, Brad Miller, Tyson Chandler, even Shaq.  How many times have these guys been traded.

I say sign Perk to a fair deal, and if Dwight Howard appears ready to move in 2012, trade Perk (which won't be hard to do).

[the_Bird]

Danny would resign Perk at MLE dollars in a cocaine heartbeat.  Perk's worth a lot more than that, just for his defensive prowess.  If the best offer Perk gets next season is for those dollars, Danny is doing a little dance because he'd gladly pay that amount for Perk and Perk would rather re-sign here, all things being equal.

[Who]

The question for the Celtics is, do you match or exceed an MLE offer to Perk?  It's very reasonable value for him, but at the same time it handcuffs the Celtics if they want to be active in the 2012 free agent sweepstakes (Dwight Howard).  Do the Celtics take the bird in the hand, or go for the one in the bush?

See the thing is, I think it's okay to give Perk a contract that will at first appear to limit us in 2012.  Unless his knee really is messed up, and he his continually injured now, I think he'll be a very trade-able commodity. It seems like Centers, even with bigger contracts, get traded a lot.  Marcus Camby, Samuel Dalembert, Brad Miller, Tyson Chandler, even Shaq.  How many times have these guys been traded.

I say sign Perk to a fair deal, and if Dwight Howard appears ready to move in 2012, trade Perk (which won't be hard to do).

Agreed -- I would be confident about the Celtics ability to move Perk if they needed to create more cap room to sign Dwight Howard so long as he is on a reasonable contract and avoids another serious injury.

I would also be open to grossly overpaying him on a one year contract ($10-12 million) to keep the flexibility for 2012 alive.

[Celtics4ever]

They can target all they want, Perk doesn't want to play with those Pukebags.   He doesn't seem their type too workmanship and little prima donna.   As long as the current team isn't blown up and the offer isn't an insulting one he will be here.  I think he loves Boston and the fans really touched his heart when he came back this year.   He is also loyal to the coach, trainers and the like.

I think only has beens who think they can latch on for a ring will go to MIA.  Damp is a perfect example.  Another big won't fix them though.   A coach won't fix them either.   They have 3 studs that all need the ball to play who have similiar skill sets.  They don't play great defense either and no I don't buy the all NBA defensive team of LeBron as it was a David Stern Hype up the star of the moment award.  You want to tell me he was a better defender than Tony Allen?

Who cares what they target or do.   They need HEART transplants especially LeBron as he has no heart or will to win when it matters.  Don't be fooled by his 51 this week.   When it counts he has a long history or disappearing.  No other superstar of his status has ever been swept in the finals.  Perk could not fix that either.

[Roy H.]

I think only has beens who think they can latch on for a ring will go to MIA.  Damp is a perfect example.  Another big won't fix them though.   A coach won't fix them either.   They have 3 studs that all need the ball to play who have similiar skill sets.  They don't play great defense either and no I don't buy the all NBA defensive team of LeBron as it was a David Stern Hype up the star of the moment award.  You want to tell me he was a better defender than Tony Allen?

I think adding Perk to the Heat would go a long way toward solidifying them as the team to beat in the NBA.  He's exactly the type of guy Bosh needs playing beside him, and having Perk man the middle would only make Lebron's and Wade's defense better.

I think you're wrong about Lebron's defense:  he's an elite defender, and yes, better than Tony Allen.  Also, Miami's team defense is very good:  5th in the NBA as of today, behind the Bulls, Celtics, Hornets, and Magic.  They're #2 in eFG% allowed, FG% allowed, and 3PT% allowed.  Their "weakness" as a defense is that they don't create a lot of turnovers, but if they had a shot-blocking presence inside, they'd be able to gamble more.

I hope you're right that Perk has no interest in the Heat, because I think he'd make them a much better team.

[Chris]

Of course they will...but last night I think was a battle of the two centers who will be cashing in this summer.  With Perk looking so good off surgery, he will be right up there with Chandler looking at deals in the 10 million per year range.  He will not be an MLE player.

[slamtheking]

Before his injury, Perk was easily an $8 mill a year player.  if he continues to show he's over the knee injury this year, he'll get that much as a starting point in the offseason and more than likely get a contract starting at $10 a year.

Danny is definitely lining up for a 2012 run for a big FA but Howard is about the only one out there for that year.  I'd have no problem with Danny signing Perk at the end of the season to an 8-10 mill per year deal.  Lock up a valuable player at fair money (bird in the hand) and if, a very BIG IF, Howard would come here as a FA or S&T, Perk could be moved without much issue.  Look at what other young solid centers are making and you'd see Perk's deal wouldn't bother other teams looking for that type of player.

If Howard isn't available, we'd still have Perk and only be under PP's contract another year before we have the $ to go after another decent FA to pair with Rondo, Perk (and hopefully a couple of decent draft picks from the prior 2 years).

[incoherent]

If Perk leaves the C's it wont be for less money...

[Donoghus]

They'd be nuts not to.

Perk is exactly what that team needs.

[Mike-Dub]

Nothing new here... But honestly idk what to expect next year with anyone in free-agency.