(2011-02-24) Trade Details & Commentary
Boston Celtics traded Kendrick Perkins and Nate Robinson to Oklahoma City Thunder for Jeff Green, Nenad Krstic, and a 2012 1st round pick (least favorable of Clippers and Timberwolves picks) (?-?).
Oklahoma City Thunder traded Jeff Green, Nenad Krstic, and a 2012 1st round pick (least favorable of Clippers and Timberwolves picks) (?-?) to Boston Celtics for Kendrick Perkins and Nate Robinson.
Commentary:
I love this trade for Oklahoma City. What I love about it is that it is gutsy. They traded away a great young player in Jeff Green whose position was redundant on the current roster for a young (let’s not forget that Perkins came straight from high school), playoff-experienced veteran. Perkins is from the area and he quickly signed a contract extension. He gives them a menacing (what better word could be used to describe his game-day scowl?) presence in the paint for the teams’ inevitable battles with Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum. Nate Robinson is also a nice player on a short and reasonable contract. However, one catch is that Perkins is injured and may not contribute right away this year, if at all. What makes it gutsy is that on top of these concerns, they also gave away a very good big in Nenad Kristic and a valuable 2012 1st rd pick.
Boston on the other hand, I really love the guts it took to make this move. To add a great young player like Jeff Green to an aging team is almost an embarrassment of riches. The overlooked player in this deal is Nenad Kristic. Kristic is an above average big man – just because his name is European doesn’t mean that he plays like a big softie. Kristic is a true 6’11 big man who used to play for Vlade Divac’s team overseas; he can rebound and score as needed and is still pretty young. To get a potential high 1st rd pick in 2012 from the Clippers must have been the frosting on this birthday cake. The only caveat is that Ainge has to win the title THIS year. Counting on having a healthy Shaquille O’Neal and Jermaine O’Neal is a huge risk. If they are able to grab the rings this is the trade that will keep them competitive after the future hall-of-famers are gone.
Analysis: Boston win, Oklahoma City win