Don't Trade Perk

So I was just reading an article a little while ago which was discussing possible trade rumors and options for the Celtics to explore. As much as it pains me to say, I think dealing Ray may be our only option to add the neccessary talent to compete for a Championship THIS year. The Celtics would obviously be looking for a top of the rotation player(s) in return. He is an expiring contract, and if we let him walk at the end of the year, who knows if he'd be willing to sign for significantly less - or walk and play for another team knowing his role here would most likely be diminished. Why not get something for him now then roll the dice?

Talking about trading Ray upsets me, so I'm not going to get into it. Another rumor that I hadn't heard until today was the possibility of trading Kendrick Perkins. Obviously Perk has generated some interest from around the league. He is a big body, physical, hard nosed type of player. He's defense minded, and has improved his offensive game drastically by each season that he's been in the league. Playing only a shade under 30 minutes a game Perk has managed to average about 12 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 blocks per this season. If you ask me that's pretty impressive on a team where you are considered one of the last scoring options, and basically have to fight in the trenches for your points and touches.

With that said, Perk is only making 4.3 million right now, so why trade him? At that price I consider Perk to be a bargain. If my memory is correct, Big Baby is making the mid level exception at 3 million per and has been basically a disaster for the team over both the offseason and well into the regular season with his lackluster play and off the court antics. What would we get in return for Perk? With a deteriorating Kevin Garnett hobbling around, it is evident that the Celtics need to get younger in the near future, and they need to start now. Perk is only 26 years old, and already has NBA Championship experience. Not a lot of guys have that mentality. He may not be much of a leader, but you can guarantee that he will play hard and leave it all on the court.

So I say please don't trade Perk Danny. He should be a staple for this team in the future, and someone you should build a team around. We need to keep our young nucleus in tact (Rondo, Perk). These guys have played together and know what it takes to win. If we can progressively get younger year by year then I'm all for it. The Garnett era isn't forever, and I think we need to maintain our strong defensive minded basketball to be successful in the future. Physical D is what won us a title in the first place, and Perk definetly brings that to the table.

I still think that the Celtics can compete for a title with the team they have now as long as they're healthy come playoff time which at this point may be wishful thinking from here on out. I just hope that Danny doesn't do anything drastic before the trade deadline. Sure the rumors are floating around about Ray, but as far as Perk goes, he should stay put. Every year he is proving himself more and more, and he is the type of guy that can get the job done. I leave you with this: If Rashard Lewis drives baseline at the end of the game on KG, and Perk is in on the help defense opposed to Sheed do the Celtics still lose that game? Just a thought. Keep Perk in Celtics Green.