I generally laugh at fans that want to trade garbage (e.g., Bradley, Luke, Erden, etc.) for quality (e.g., Battier, Dudley, etc.).  The reality that most fans don't understand is that you have to give up something of value to get something of value.  I hated to see Perkins go but the reality was, we needed to sign a wing.  Absolutely needed to or else. 

So we gave up value.  A guy that provided toughness and defense but was hugely limited in a lot of ways.  He was a decent not great rebounder and pretty awful offensive player.

But more than that, I was thinking a lot about Perkins a few weeks ago when I heard that he rejected a deal (lowball as it was).  Were we actually going to pay Perkins big money and long years to take us into the post Big 3 era?  Could we afford to do that?  The resounding answer in my mind a few weeks ago was a resounding NO. 

Perkins should not be one of the top paid players on any team.  He is too limited in what he can do and frankly, was being sheltered by the Big 4.  Perk is not a horrible player; and I absolutely love his toughness and attitude.  But he is what he is; a guy that in his career has averaged about 6 points and 6 rebounds.