Ainge: "Agonized" over Perkins deal
Celtics president Danny Ainge said on WEEI he and coach Doc Rivers "agonized'' over trading Kendrick Perkins.
Ainge is banking on the return of Shaquille and Jermaine O'Neal to the lineup and Jeff Green stabilizing the second unit for another championship run.
Ainge beleived Perkins was expendable because of his pending free agency and the expected return of the O'Neals.
“[Perkins] wasn’t interested in doing a contract extension,” Ainge said. “He wanted to test the market.” It was reported that the Perkins rejected a four-year $22 million offer from the team. Perkins was reportedly asking for $30 million over the same period.
"It's tough to play the O'Neals and Perk at the same time," Ainge said. “Shaq has proven to be better with our starters. We beat all of the top teams without Kendrick.”
Ainge said Jermaine "is coming along nicely" and Shaq should return in a week. "We feel good about our team."
Ainge acknowledged the deal has brought some emotion from his players.
“In time they will see the benefits for our team,'' he said.
What the Celtics are getting in Green is a versatile, experienced 24-year-old from Georgetown.
“He can play the four, three. He defends multiple positions. He can shoot the three-ball and post-up smaller guys,” Ainge said. “He has scoring, passing, intelligence, youth, energy all in one package.”
“We shed some tears today,” Ainge said after he told Perkins of his trade to Oklahoma City. “He’s a good kid and is going to a great situation.”
Today’s transactions left the Celtics with three open roster spots. Ainge said the team will aggressively fill those positions.
“We will be ready to pounce on players who will be bought out,” said Ainge, who is looking for help from outside and wing players, as well as a defender. He says guard is the least of his concerns.
“We may fill all three or just two depending on who we get,” Ainge said.
4 years, $22 million?
What a lowball. The average starting center in this league pulls down $6.4 million per year, and they think they're getting an above average legit starting center with championship experience in his mid 20s for a huge discount? Cheap ass mother ers. It was hilarious seeing how devastated the whole Celtics team looked in Denver tonight.
Total loss.
Rarely do you see someone nail himself to the Tree of Woe.
Ainge always finds a way to up everytime.
This thread is full of win. The Celtics won't see the Finals again without cable TV.
Jermaine O'Neal is coming along nicely?
That guy wasn't when he was in Indiana. Has Ainge not seen him play this season? Was he not paying attention when Jermaine the bed in the 5-game Heat/Celtics series last season? I mean, he was comically bad. It was one of the worst playoff series I have ever seen out of any NBA player period. Actually, that; it was the single worst performance I have ever seen. And this and Shaq's health are now going to be what the Celtics' le hopes rest on?
This is a huge risk. Jermaine is not someone you can count on to produce in the playoffs even if healthy and Shaq has really slowed down and is very injury prone now.
That's exactly what I thought of when we signed him. All Jermaine can really do now is rebound. And who knows if he can do that after these injuries.Jermaine O'Neal is coming along nicely?
That guy wasn't when he was in Indiana. Has Ainge not seen him play this season? Was he not paying attention when Jermaine the bed in the 5-game Heat/Celtics series last season? I mean, he was comically bad. It was one of the worst playoff series I have ever seen out of any NBA player period. Actually, that; it was the single worst performance I have ever seen. And this and Shaq's health are now going to be what the Celtics' le hopes rest on?
Bad move by the C's but I still think that they are No.1 contender this year.
Those quotes by Ainge are hilarious. That would be like Buford trading away McDyess and saying the Spurs would be fine because they have Matt Bonner.
4 years/30 million is market value...right around MLE money. Ainge is just being Ainge.
The 22m was the maximum the Celtics were allowed to offer in an extension.
Of course Perkins doesnt take the extension.
Remember that Ainge was regarded as a mediocre to poor GM until McHale gift wrapped Garnett for his old team. Perkins was a critical part of what they've done for the past 4 seasons and Ainge can't wait to throw him under the bus. Almost makes the Heatles look warm and fuzzy.
Yeah, I don't think they can afford him. KG, Rondo, Allen, and Pierce make a ton of money next year leaving little else even under the current cba. I'm not a cap expert, but maybe he could have asked them to renegotiate or cleared salary somehow.
Thats partially true; Ainge scored some singles and even some home runs with numerous mid to late first round draft picks; Jefferson, Rondo, Perkins, Allen, and Delonte, were all picked 15 or later and he landed some decent second rounders as well; Gomes, Erden. Also Jefferson for KG wasn't such a bad trade until Al blew his knee out.
They should have kept him for this season imo, and tried to find a way to keep him long term. But again I'm not a cap expert nor does anyone know what the cba will look like if they really won't be able to afford him, Perkins would have just signed elsewhere this summer anyways.
Celtics = ed
"It's tough to play the O'Neals and Perk at the same time," Ainge said. “Shaq has proven to be better with our starters. We beat all of the top teams without Kendrick.”
Ainge is one stupid mother er. He seriously is talking about regular season??? And with Shaq currently in the shop????
the celtics bigmen Ainge is banking on:
as if Perkins was the answer - vastly over-rated 59th in PER this year as a center and very mediocre during his career - 6 boards, 6 points, less than 2 blocks per game - yeh that is a difference maker. Celtics took a chance but they certainly got a better player in return than the over-rated Perkins.
Ainge should be shot, I mean come on. You just don't decide to rebuild a championship team for no reason. I can't believe this . I hope Celtics fans give him .4 years, $22 million?
What a lowball. The average starting center in this league pulls down $6.4 million per year, and they think they're getting an above average legit starting center with championship experience in his mid 20s for a huge discount? Cheap ass mother ers. It was hilarious seeing how devastated the whole Celtics team looked in Denver tonight.
Lol @ PER. What are you 6 years old?
Anyone who knows the game of basketball knows what Perk brought to that team.
They picked the year the Lakers look vulnerable to blow up their "undefeated" core? Unbeavable.
If perk was signed to the 4 yr/$30 mil deal, this place would be filled with lol knees/lol mcl/lol acl/lol 4/30 per the course/usual, etc...
Guy has played less than half the season . . .
Can you limit your ty takes to one a day?
lol Ainge.
Can you?
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