The problem is that NBA centers don't grow on trees. Especially those that can defend at the NBA level.
While some of you are ready to write the man off 1 year after he's been drafted, remember how many teams gave Ben Wallace a very short look early in his career (including Boston) and dropped him.
I'm not saying I have confidence that he'll turn out to be even a serviceable rotational player, but center is the most difficult defensive position to play in the NBA. Even if it's a 10% chance he pans out, you're taking a 10% chance on striking gold.
And dont forget the celtics own perk. Perk was terrible, absolutely useless at the nba level for years. No offense, foul prone, no speed or feel for the game. And don't even get me started about the poor hands he had.
But this is how you get servicible centers on the cheap. Draft a big project then be patient. He becomes the teams's 15th man and practices a lot. After three years, THEN you pass final judgement.
Now is the perfect time for the celtics to gamble on Melo. Wins mean nothing. So what if Iverson or another stiff replaces melo? The celtics will stink anyway. But you can see exactly where iverson's ceiling is located, very low.
Melo is a high risk, low cost gamble. If if if melo plays to his ceiling he will be much better than Iverson could ever be. As the 15th man, imagine if melo actually develops to his potential. There were moments in the D league where he simply tore up the league with blocks. Look at his offense now and you will see it is better than last year. He boxes out now better than he used to do. Use your own eyes.
Melo is still wildly inconsistent, but there are flashes of ability. Melo is a gamble worth taking. Patience paid off with perk. Let's hope it pays off with melo as well.