Like Rocky Balboa, I was completely blind-sided by the Celtics moves at the deadline. They have been looking good so far, so I thought they would just stand pat and focus on winning a title this year.
Ainge certainly has some balls. If he stood pat and the team fell just short of the title, no-one would blame him for that. But now, if Danny's plan doesn't work out, he is gonna get lynched!
Its a tough one to call and I don't know how I feel about it yet. If the Celtics weren't in contention for a title this season, there's no doubt that this is a good trade. Perk could very well get an offer the Celtics can't match next season and in that sense, Danny has really maximised his trade value for the team by getting Green and Krstic.
Green is a talented player who should be able to spell both KG and Pierce and his size and athleticism will be useful to counter LBJ and Melo. Krstic is a solid big you can rely on.
There's also the cool fact that the Celtics now have back the two players they traded for Ray in the first place - West and Green!
But giving up Perk AND Erden when Shaq has been in and out and JO looks almost done? Very risky. There just has to be another move to come. As someone said above, Troy Murphy has to be a chance if he is indeed bought out.
All indications are that Sheed really is done, so I don't think he will ride into town to save the Celtics. If he has stayed fit, I would prefer him over Murphy though. Murph has been out of sorts since his injury and the trade, so who knows if he can play at the level the Celtics would need.
Przybilla is a guy who I'd like to see in Boston if he is bought out. Would be the perfect fit really. Not sure what the Bobcats plan to do with him yet though.
From an OKC point of view, they finally have their man. From what I have read, this is not the first time OKC have tried to trade for Perk. If they can be patient and wait for him to get back to full fitness next season, they finally have the toughness they needed under the basket. It also allows Ibaka to slide across to the PF slot, where I think they wanted him to play from day one. That is a scary defensive tandem, with Perk corraling guys and keeping them busy so Ibaka can come across and swat shots left and right.
The only real weakness I see with OKC now is their outside shooting. A Perk/ Ibaka frontcourt is not gonna stretch the D and their wings aren't great 3pt shooters (Durant is really good from mid-range but blows hot and cold from beyond the arc and Sefolosha and Harden are the same).