Celtics Make Qualifying Offer To Jeff Green

BRIGHTON -- Celtics president Danny Ainge said today the club will make a qualifying contract offer to Jeff Green, meaning it will have the right to match any offer made to the restricted free agent. Boston.com

Jeff Green didn't impress anyone last year, he under performed, looked lost, and showed flashes every once in a while.

I like Jeff, I liked the defense he played on LeBron and in the playoffs, but he needs to find his offensive rhythm. The reason we traded for him is because we needed offense, and with a full training camp under his belt he could be the player he was in Oklahoma City. I think he will be a big factor this year when it comes to the Celtics and I think averaging 14-15 ppg isn't completely out of the question.

My Reaction To The Perk Trade

I certainly didn't expect Perkins to be traded in the start of yesterday so when I found the news out, I was shocked. Danny decided to make a series of trades yesteday headlined by Kendrick Perkins and Nate Robinson to the Thunder for Jeff Green, Nenad Krstic, and a top 10 protected Los Angeles Clippers 1st round pick.

I first hated it, because I was emotional. We all love Perk, we saw him grow from a fat high school kid to the player he is today. He embodied the Celtics way of doing things, he was a hard worker, a tough kid and gave his all to get back from the MCL injury. And now that he's gone it's if one of your best friends moved across the country, all of us are just a little sad.

But if you lay the trade down on paper, you come away with a couple things. We received the best player in the trade in Jeff Green, Krstic and Perk aren't that far apart, and the difference between Nate and Jeff are gigantic.

People also forget that this team was the best team in the league and beat the Heat twice without Perk, and Perk just injured his knee, is coming off knee surgery and who says we can possibly sign him after this year? Actually the fact is that the Celtics were 33-10 this season without Perkins and only 4-3 with him as a starter. Also, a lot of people forget when the Celtics were in the championship they had James Posey playing the 4, and KG playing the 5. And in crucial times in games this year, Baby has been playing at the end of the 4th. The thing I'm worried about the most is team chemistry, these players have been together for a while now and I heard they were shaken up after the deal. However, they are veterans and professionals, I'm sure they will be able to get over it.

Jeff Green brings a lot of to the table coming off the bench, he's 6 foot 9, a long 6-foot-9, which means he easily fills the role as a backup to Paul Pierce. He has 3-point range. He can play the power forward spot, as well. Krstic also is unique in his own way with him being more of an offensive player then Perk. He has range, his rebounding numbers are gross for his size, but his offensive game give more room for Rondo to penetrate and dish instead of getting clogged up with Perk and his defender.

Also, if we can somehow get a Troy Murphy and Anthony Parker via buyout what do people think of the trade then? I know it's kind of bogus to say wait and see, but trust me, let this develop before you jump the boat because Danny could have just pulled a fast one.

Breaking News: Celtics Trade Perkins For Jeff Green (4 UPDATES - More Trades)

"In a trade deadline stunner, a source confirmed initial reports from Yahoo's Adrian Wojnarowski and Sam Amick that the Celtics have traded Kendrick Perkins and Nate Robinson to Oklahoma City in exhange for Jeff Green and Nenad Kristic. While the deal occured just before the deadline, another source indicated that the framework was in place earlier in the week (WEEI)."

Wow, this really was a shocker. Green is averaging 15 points and 5.6 rebounds for the Thunder, so he will add some punch to the Celtics 2nd unit. That being said Green's contract is up at the end of the year, and this could just be a rental. I don't know if I like this move. The Celtics are giving up one of their best defensive players, in an area where they are already weak with Shaq out another week, and Jermaine out possibly the rest of the year. Nenad Krstic is going to have to help out the centers unit, and although his stats are similar to that of Perkins, he is not half the defensive player.

I could care less about the Celtics trading away Nate, but Perkins (when healthy) is a big key to this team, and I'm just not sure two bench players make up for that.


***UPDATE***

"The Celtics aren't done dealing. A report from Adrian Wojnarowski has them dealing Semih Erden and Luke Harangody for a second round pick. The real value is in the roster spots that open with Erden and Harangody off the books. The Celtics were at the maximum number of players allowed on an NBA roster with 15 and this clears the way for them to puruse veteran free agents such as Troy Murphy and Rip Hamilton, once they are bought out by their teams (WEEI)."

They better get someone, because they are thinning out their centers way too much.


***UPDATE 2***

"According to a source, the Celtics will also get the Clippers 2012 first-round pick out of the deal (Celticsblog)."

Also, according to DP Jeff Green has a qualifying offer for next year, which makes me feel a lot better about this deal.


***UPDATE 3***

"Celtics have agreed to send Marquis Daniels to Sacramento for cash, source says (Celticsblog)."

Even more cap space cleared out. I expect Murphy, Rip, or Sheed (or any combo of those guys) to be joining the team after they are bought out.

***UPDATE 4***

Here is a quick list of all the trade that happened in the NBA today from ESPN...

Aaron Brooks to the Suns for Goran Dragic.
Semih Erden and Luke Harangody to the Cavaliers.
Gerald Wallace to the Blazers.
Jeff Green to Boston for Kendrick Perkins and Nate Robinson.
Shane Battier to the Grizzlies for Hasheem Thabeet.
Kirk Hinrich to the Hawks for Mike Bibby.
Baron Davis to Cleveland for Mo Williams and Jamario Moon.
Deron Williams to the Nets.
Carmelo Anthony to the Knicks.
Carl Landry to the Hornets.
Troy Murphy to Golden State for Brandan Wright and Dan Gadzuric.
James Johnson to the Raptors.

We will have our thoughts on the rest tomorrow.