Looking at the Perk trade as of the Lakers' elimination (merged)

[the_Bird]

Hey, I'm a huge Perk fan, but Gasol and Z-Bo have gone nuts on OKC.
It would be worse without Perkins, clearly.  But he just doesn't seem right to me, like KG didn't when when he came back.  It would be interesting to go to ThunderBlog (or whatever) and see what the fans there think of him.  I think he's a great fit for them (as he was for the Cs).

Perk's not 100%, but whatever percent his IS is a lot higher than what Shaq's playing at.  I still believe it was a dumb, needlessly risky trade. 

I don't know what the fans think, but his new teammates absolutely love Perk, every thing that you read about them talks about how much of a big brother is his, how they needed his veteran presence (thinking of Perk as a stabilizing vet makes me feel OLD, BTW).

The only thing that'll make me feel better about the trade (even if I never like it) is if Jeff Green plays more like he did in Game 3 and less like he did in every game prior to that. 

[Chris]

Hey, I'm a huge Perk fan, but Gasol and Z-Bo have gone nuts on OKC.
It would be worse without Perkins, clearly.  But he just doesn't seem right to me, like KG didn't when when he came back.  It would be interesting to go to ThunderBlog (or whatever) and see what the fans there think of him.  I think he's a great fit for them (as he was for the Cs).

Yeah, Perk is not 100%.  However, if they were starting Jeff Green at PF, that series would already be over.  That frontcourt in Memphis is playing out of their minds, so we can't hold too much of that against Perk (or Ibaka, who is the one getting burned even more).  But the trade absolutely made OKC a significantly better team now and into the future. 

[Eddie20]

Perk is one of those HS Players who has logged many minutes, despite being only 26 (27 in November). That said, you really have to question just how productive he'll be in a just a few short years. His bruising style simply doesn't measure well in terms of having a long NBA career. Then you add the shoulder and knee surgeries and I feel that it could be one of those deals that will be appreciated in the long term.

[Chris]

Perk is one of those HS Players who has logged many minutes, despite being only 26 (27 in November). That said, you really have to question just how productive he'll be in a just a few short years. His bruising style simply doesn't measure well in terms of having a long NBA career. Then you add the shoulder and knee surgeries and I feel that it could be one of those deals that will be appreciated in the long term.

Well, Perk barely played his first few years in the league, so I am not sure he really has played many more minutes than most guys his age. 

[the_Bird]

Perk is one of those HS Players who has logged many minutes, despite being only 26 (27 in November). That said, you really have to question just how productive he'll be in a just a few short years. His bruising style simply doesn't measure well in terms of having a long NBA career. Then you add the shoulder and knee surgeries and I feel that it could be one of those deals that will be appreciated in the long term.

Well, Perk barely played his first few years in the league, so I am not sure he really has played many more minutes than most guys his age.  

Just looked it up, in his first eight seasons he's totalled about 10,500.  For comparision, JO (who barely played for four seasons) had logged about 13,500 by the end of his eighth season.

There's certainly injury risk with Perk, but a lot less (a *lot* less, IMHO) than relying on guys like JO and Shaq to be able to man the 5 spot reliably.  I'd have signed Perk to that contract in a heatbeat, that's cheap for a guy who's proven to be a solid NBA starting C.  

[Chris]

Perk is one of those HS Players who has logged many minutes, despite being only 26 (27 in November). That said, you really have to question just how productive he'll be in a just a few short years. His bruising style simply doesn't measure well in terms of having a long NBA career. Then you add the shoulder and knee surgeries and I feel that it could be one of those deals that will be appreciated in the long term.

Well, Perk barely played his first few years in the league, so I am not sure he really has played many more minutes than most guys his age.  

Just looked it up, in his first eight seasons he's totalled about 10,500.  For comparision, JO (who barely played for four seasons) had logged about 13,500 by the end of his eighth season.

There's certainly injury risk with Perk, but a lot less (a *lot* less, IMHO) than relying on guys like JO and Shaq to be able to man the 5 spot reliably.  I'd have signed Perk to that contract in a heatbeat, that's cheap for a guy who's proven to be a solid NBA starting C.  

Well, the argument would be that Perk wouldn't have been available for that contract once he hit the open market (which was the only time the C's could offer that kind of contract).  He gave OKC a discount to be locked up before hitting free agency, but had he made it to the summer, there would have been multiple teams bidding a ton of money for him, and he likely would have gotten significantly more than he got.

[the_Bird]

Perk is one of those HS Players who has logged many minutes, despite being only 26 (27 in November). That said, you really have to question just how productive he'll be in a just a few short years. His bruising style simply doesn't measure well in terms of having a long NBA career. Then you add the shoulder and knee surgeries and I feel that it could be one of those deals that will be appreciated in the long term.

Well, Perk barely played his first few years in the league, so I am not sure he really has played many more minutes than most guys his age.  

Just looked it up, in his first eight seasons he's totalled about 10,500.  For comparision, JO (who barely played for four seasons) had logged about 13,500 by the end of his eighth season.

There's certainly injury risk with Perk, but a lot less (a *lot* less, IMHO) than relying on guys like JO and Shaq to be able to man the 5 spot reliably.  I'd have signed Perk to that contract in a heatbeat, that's cheap for a guy who's proven to be a solid NBA starting C.  

Well, the argument would be that Perk wouldn't have been available for that contract once he hit the open market (which was the only time the C's could offer that kind of contract).  He gave OKC a discount to be locked up before hitting free agency, but had he made it to the summer, there would have been multiple teams bidding a ton of money for him, and he likely would have gotten significantly more than he got.

Well, the one team (other than OKC) that was always mentioned as wanting Perk the most was Miami, but that would have been moot because all they would have been able to work with is the MLE (or trying to convince Boston to do a S&T, which Danny would have laughed at).  I've lost track of what other teams have cap space this summer, but from everything I've read it sounded like Boston, OKC, and Miami were the three likely spots - and that with the dollars more-or-less the same, Perk would have re-signed here.

I also don't think you can talk about letting Perk become a free agent (and potentially leaving without compensation) without also talking about the need for Jeff Green to be re-signed.  There'a a [dang] good chance, I believe, that Green's playing elsewhere in 2011-2012.  Wishful thinking that Danny gets his wish and Green plays next year on the qualifying offer.  

Someone will offer him a four-year deal based on his play in OKC and the (brief) flashes he's shown here, and Danny's going to hesitate to match because it's not clear Jeff Green belongs in the teams' plans going forward.  Restricted free agents often don't attract interest because teams often (rightfully) assume that offer sheets are going to be matched, but I don't see that as being a given with the C's and Green.  If another team signs him to an offer sheet (I would guess at years and dollars not too far from what Perk got), I'd bet Danny lets him go.  

[celts55]

Well my question would be, what does Perk offer that JO doesn't? Offensively I think weall can agree that JO is certainly an upgrade. Defensively JO protects the paint and gives good hard fouls. Plus Perk pretty injured right now.  The Mempis bigs have been killing him.

I don't know that we can ALL agree that he's an improvement offensively. While I think he's doing a fine job clogging up the middle, I I've seen him get stuffed on quite a few dunks. I haven't seen him do anything on the offensive end that makes me think he's an upgrade. Don't get me wrong, I liked the trade than and I'm still okay with it, I just don't see that improvement you're talking about.

[5.9.20.34.43]

Perk wouldve produced significantly more than the aging S. O'neal however J.O. looks good in limited minutes so that addition seems to have worked out. Jeff Green was great in OKC and i think danny is waiting on the "moment" he breaks out in a playoff game on offense and wakes up but his defense is still rough. We needed a good scorer/defender to backup P2 but i think an overall better defender like a S.Battier wouldve helped ....but we put too much faith in Shaq and it may cost us. I miss the scowl...it alone hurt some folks...imagine what bosh woulda said...

[Army_of_One_Nation]

JO is definitely an offensive upgrade over Perk. JO also blocks shots better.

[SHAQATTACK]

Lack of Perk should seem less important in some respects as LA has disappeared, but , right now I'm missing him , man we sure could use his for lack of better term GRIT against the heat..... not putting up with foolishness from LBJ and Wade as they throw their bodies at the hoop , like trying to score a NFL TD on  first and one at the goal line.  

Thats why we still need BIG ,BIG ,BIGS to stop the Heat and Knicks for the next several years. Seems like Every play is a drive to the bucket...they hope we'll just move over and let them though.

We need guys willing to stand in front of the rim and defend it.

JO and KG have done good, would have been nice to have Perk to toss in their to ruff em up a bit. Throw a few hard fouls and see how they like it.

[bbd24]

Well my question would be, what does Perk offer that JO doesn't? Offensively I think weall can agree that JO is certainly an upgrade. Defensively JO protects the paint and gives good hard fouls. Plus Perk pretty injured right now.  The Mempis bigs have been killing him.

I don't know that we can ALL agree that he's an improvement offensively. While I think he's doing a fine job clogging up the middle, I I've seen him get stuffed on quite a few dunks. I haven't seen him do anything on the offensive end that makes me think he's an upgrade. Don't get me wrong, I liked the trade than and I'm still okay with it, I just don't see that improvement you're talking about.

You don't view him as better offensively ? Its not even close right now. He can hit the 5-10 footer, gives you a low post go to guy one on one, and is another option Rondo can hit on the dribble drive.  Better receiving hands all around the basket for Rondo and the crew.

He's shown it all throughout the playoffs.

So far in the playoffs, I can even say he's better defensively.  JO is challenging everything in there, especially when the guards are letting their man waltz to the bucket.  JO is there and willing to contend.  Perk right now is having trouble helping, then trying to hurry back to his man when the ball is swung around.  Any bit of ball movement and Perkins is dead upon arrival.  He needs to pitch a tent out there.

[Roy H.]

I don't think LA's fate has much of an impact on an assessment of the trade.  I think, and have always thought, that the key to our defense is defending the paint.  That's the case whether we're defending it against post scorers like Gasol and Randolph, or from penetrating guys like Lebron, Wade, Rose, etc.

Now, if Green focuses on defense and energy and provides timely scoring, then I think he can offset some of what Perk brings.  However, I'd still feel better with Perk in the middle, giving us 48 strong minutes at the center position along with JO and Shaq.

[bbd24]

I don't think LA's fate has much of an impact on an assessment of the trade.  I think, and have always thought, that the key to our defense is defending the paint.  That's the case whether we're defending it against post scorers like Gasol and Randolph, or from penetrating guys like Lebron, Wade, Rose, etc.

Now, if Green focuses on defense and energy and provides timely scoring, then I think he can offset some of what Perk brings.  However, I'd still feel better with Perk in the middle, giving us 48 strong minutes at the center position along with JO and Shaq.

And who do you have playing in place of Green's minutes, or backing up Paul ?  Sasha ?

Right now, Perks having trouble moving on help defense. He's flat out slow and lethargic. If he is late on Wade or Lebron, or on any type of ball movement, I see 3 easy fouls in 7 minutes on him.  Boom he's out.

Then what ?

I'd rather have the roster we have now.

[Roy H.]

I don't think LA's fate has much of an impact on an assessment of the trade.  I think, and have always thought, that the key to our defense is defending the paint.  That's the case whether we're defending it against post scorers like Gasol and Randolph, or from penetrating guys like Lebron, Wade, Rose, etc.

Now, if Green focuses on defense and energy and provides timely scoring, then I think he can offset some of what Perk brings.  However, I'd still feel better with Perk in the middle, giving us 48 strong minutes at the center position along with JO and Shaq.

And who do you have playing in place of Green's minutes, or backing up Paul ?  Sasha ?

Right now, Perks having trouble moving on help defense. He's flat out slow and lethargic. If he is late on Wade or Lebron, or on any type of ball movement, I see 3 easy fouls in 7 minutes on him.  Boom he's out.

Then what ?

I'd rather have the roster we have now.

As has been stated, oh, 63,000 times or so, I think we would have pulled off a smaller trade for a swingman, whether that be Anthony Parker, Corey Brewer, Rasual Butler, Jamario Moon, or somebody else.  It's not like Jeff Green has been a world beater in the playoffs, so it wouldn't have been hard for somebody else to approximate his contribution.  

I do, however, hope Green plays better.  Game 3 was a step in the right direction.

As for Perk's lateral movement, I'm pretty sure it's better than Shaq's.