How much better would you feel if we still had the Bird rights to Nenad Krstic?

[Roy H.]

I was thinking about the various ways the Lockout screwed the Celtics today, and a potentially big one is the loss of the Bird rights to Nenad Krstic. 

I hated the Perk trade, but I really do think Danny was expecting Krstic to be a viable option to keep on the roster.  The lockout took that chance away, as Krstic decided to sign a contract in Russia.  Had the lockout not happened, Krstic could have filled the hole in the middle of the starting lineup, or added a viable option off the bench for those rare games when JO is healthy. 

At the same time, we still would have had to sign Krstic, and much like with BBD, the ideal situation would have been a big money one year deal.  If he'd wanted more years, we would have been faced with a choice to sign him (giving up future cap space), or letting him go with very little, if any, compensation.

So, what's your feeling?  Is Krstic's departure to Russia a big loss, or not that big of a deal?

[Eja117]

That option about he'd get too big a contract and eat up cap space definitely gave me pause. But I wish we had him back.....at a fair price

[PosImpos]

Nenad was a very solid backup, but definitely not ideal as a starter.  Good rotation guy, but not a huge difference maker.  I don't think his being here would drastically alter the outlook for this season.

[2short]

I think the trade as a whole would have been great if we resigned Green & Krstic and got the draft pick.  His defense needed work but really liked his rebounding & passing.  Didn't have the low post defense of Perk but otherwise a better player.  I can't see him starting over a healthy Jermaine ONeil but we are gonna need another center or this season won't be very good.  Unless we are going to turn into tommys run & gun 70's teams.  We could do this but our rebounding would have to improve BIG TIME.
how is this
rondo, ray, paul, green and kg starting and running all out

[yall hate]

Is Krstic able to come back this season? what is his status?

[Roy H.]

Is Krstic able to come back this season? what is his status?

From what I understand, he has a two year contract.  He can buy out the second year, but he's stuck there for the remainder of this season.

[Celtics4ever]

Nenad's biggest asset is that he was healthy and could eat minutes.   I thought he played well initially but he tapered off.  I doubt he comes back would you want to leave the motherland?  

I know he is Serbian and playing for Moscow, the motherland comment was a joke.

http://www.celticstown.com/2011/05/31/report-russian-team-offers-nenad-krstic-contract/

He was player of the month last month I believe.  He might like being a big fish in the small pond.

http://www.euroleague.net/news/i/90375/180

This article implies he will not be back.

http://articles.boston.com/2011-06-10/sports/29644046_1_nenad-krstic-nba-lockout-kendrick-perkins

He is getting paid 9 million for two seasons.  We can't or won't match that figure so I fear he is gone.

[Chris]

I'll hold out judgement to see what Danny has up his sleeve. 

[erisred]

I'll hold out judgement to see what Danny has up his sleeve. 

I'm a pessimist, I know, but I don't think Danny has anything up his sleeve but his arm. If he pulls a center (or the two we really need) out of his sleeve it will be some magic trick!

[Marcus13]

At least it'd give us a little depth but obviously we'd still be extremely weak in the frontcourt in terms of skill

[LarBrd33]

any new thoughts on Krstic?  Seems he'd help us at this point.

[moiso]

He would definitely help.  He'd be our best center.

[Kuberski1]

Don't think it matters much.  He would have helped, for sure, as we are weak at the 5....but it's not like we are 20 mins a game from a Krstic to becoming the real deal again.  More like 35 mins a game from the past-lives of KG and Pierce...

[LB3533]

Nenad would certainly help our Center position, but I am afraid he nor Perkins are the fountain of youth or fountain of health for KG and Pierce.

Only time and conditioning will help us now, with those issues.

[aporel#18]

Nenad would certainly help our Center position, but I am afraid he nor Perkins are the fountain of youth or fountain of health for KG and Pierce.

Only time and conditioning will help us now, with those issues.

TP, I agree that this team will need some time to get in game shape. Once they do, I think they'll be ok, not great, but they'll still have a chance, in a "Dumb and Dumber" way.

Nenad is doing pretty well in Euroleague, I'd play him over JO, but this is a team sport, the Celtics need every guy to be in sync and ready to give it all on the court. They don't seem to be ready... yet.