Perk Up, The Deadline Was A Success

One of the few reasons the NBA can be an exciting league at times is because of its ever-active trade deadline. Unlike the NFL, the NBA sees a flurry of trades leading up to the final minute of the deadline, and this year was no exception. In less than 72 hours, there were 13 trades involving 19 teams and a total of 39 players changing unis, not including 3 others who were waived and one free agent signing. Even if those numbers may look insignificant, to put it into perspective, the NBA has about 360 active players on any given day. That means that approximately 11% of the league's players were moved, almost the equivalent to an entire NFL team.
The NBA trade deadline also leads to the annual cluster-fuck that is the NBA draft. Thirteen draft picks, ranging from 2011 to 2014, were included in deals. What is amusing is that the NBA draft is only 2 rounds, so when you have teams like the Knicks dealing a first rounder and two second rounders, you realize that unless they make other deals, they won't have any draft picks in the foreseeable future. Fortunately for teams that fall in this genre, the 2011 draft looks like one of the least talented of the last decade.
With big name players like Carmelo Anthony, Deron Williams, Chauncy Billups, Aaron Brooks, and Carl Landry, it is easy to lose sight of the "smaller deals", such as the two that Boston made. Of course to Celts fans, trading Kendrick Perkins was nothing short of astonishing, but Danny Ainge surely has shaped the team for an energetic playoff run as well as infused more youth into an aging roster. So without further indulging in the specifics, let's break it down...

• Trade 1 - Celtics trade C Kendrick Perkins and G Nate Robinson to OKC Thunder for F Jeff Green, C Nenad Kristic, a 2012 1st-round pick, and cash.
• What the Celtics gain - Although it is harped on much too often, the Celtics Big 3 are getting up there in years, and resting Pierce and Garnett heading into the playoffs will be a big priority for Doc. Jeff Green is a 24 year old forward that can play both the 3 and the 4, spelling two-thirds of the Celts' trio. Green is remembered as the Celtics trade piece that ultimately brought Ray Allen to Boston four years ago, when the Thunder were in Seattle. Boston ranks 29th in rebounding in the league, but Green should boost their board-presence with his 5.5 RPG to go along with his 15 PPG. As the third option behind Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook in OKC, Green is vastly underrated, and if he is locked up heading into an off-season where he will be a RFA, could eventually take over for Pierce when 34 is hoisted to the rafters. Kristic is a 7-footer who will temporarily start at center, and he brings both experience and better ball handling to the C's at the 5. Unlike Perk, he is not injury prone and should bring some stability to center for the C's for the first time since banner 17. The 1st-round pick is actually the Clippers pick, and is top-10 protected through the 2016-2017 season, meaning that it will more than likely be in the early 20's when they can use it.
• What the Celtics lose - Kendrick Perkins is undoubtedly one of the best defensive centers in the game. He was the reason the C's upset the Magic in last year's Eastern Conference Finals, as he is one of the few players in the league that can keep Dwight Howard in check. Losing Perkins to a knee injury in Game 6 of the Finals last year is probably the reason the Celtics lost game 7, as they were dominated down low without their big man, but they were able to go 33-10 without him to start the season in 2011. Once he returned, the Celtics went 8-4, but Perkins only led the team in rebounding twice, and his looming free-agency was reason enough to cut ties with the fan favorite earlier than expected. The C's will now be forced to rely on Kristic, a hobbled Shaq, and the inexperienced Chris Johnson at center, as well as using KG at the 5 against smaller lineups. Ultimately, if rumors of bringing in Troy Murphy don't pan out, the C's will probably have to get creative when facing the NBA's elite big men. Trading little-used Nate Robinson will have a much less significant impact, as he had struggled this season and the Celtics now have Delonte West returning from a broken hand. Nate was somewhat of a one-dimensional role player who plays weak defense and hoists up ill-advised shots too often. With a healthy Rondo and Ray Allen being backed by West and Von Wafer, the C's are an injury away from a disaster, but can definitely get by with their elite tandem at guard.
• Trade 2 - Celtics trade C Semih Erden and F Luke Harangody to Cavs for 2013 second-round pick
• What the Celtics gain - The Cavs are far and away the worst team in basketball. They don't have the makings of a team that can "turn-it-around" anytime soon, so their 2013 pick is a safe bet to be in the top 5 of the second round two years from now. The Celtics can use the pick to fill out their roster, or use it as a future trade chip. Harangody was a non-factor and averaged about 2 PPG in 28 appearances. Jeff Green is a monstrous upgrade for a team that really only had one substantial backup forward (Baby) on it's bench. Erden's trade is a bit puzzling, as Boston lacks centers, but aside from a handful of breakout games during the first half of the season, he didn't contribute much in terms of rebounding and the C's figured they could get by without him. Erden often seemed lost on the court and was only needed for defense, which is one of the weaker parts of his game. If Shaq can stay healthy and the C's bring in a Troy Murphy-type player, Erden will forever remain an afterthought.
• What the Celtics lose - Again, they lose the valuable center depth that has haunted them for too long now. Jermaine O'Neal is a gigantic vagina and probably won't play again this year, and looking at the C's depth chart at center is comparable to looking at a patient list in the geriatrics ward at Mass General. The Celtics threw out the little depth they had at center, and without bringing in a veteran, they are a Garnett-injury away from a first-round playoff oust. But by putting all of their eggs in the Jeff Green-basket, they are taking the all out approach, and time will tell if it pans out.

In the grand scheme of things, I like what the Celtics did. They infused youth and energy by bringing in Kristic and Green, and they realized that although they made plenty of personnel changes from last year, their roster was very similar and would probably tire in the final months of the season. With Rondo, Allen, Garnett, Pierce, and Green, they have 5 top-NBA talents on the roster, which is plenty to beat the Bucks and Bobcats of the league. Ultimately their fate will be decided on team defense, and the ability to guard a Melo or LeBron or Boozer with one player while focusing on a team approach to guarding the Amare's and Howard's of the NBA. The Celtics matchup tremendously with the Heat, Bulls, Spurs, and Mavericks, but could face roadblocks against larger teams like the Lakers or Orlando. They will have to hope that someone else can do their dirty work come playoff time and knockout the team's with elite centers.