The Perkins Trade: One of the Worst in NBA History

[dalakhani]

Now that the Celtics have been sent on their way, I think it is fair to say that the trade deadline swap of Perkins and Robinson for Krstic, Green and 2012 clipper first rounder is arguably one of the worst trades in NBA history.

Now before anyone starts throwing tomatoes, I don't mean from a material standpoint. Certainly the Clippers first rounder next year will be no worse than mid tier and possibly even a lottery pick. Green was not too long ago a top five pick and averaged 14 a game for a playoff team. That is not a terrible haul for a soon to be free agent who wanted a contract the celts were unwilling to pay.

The reason it is one of the worst trades in NBA history is because it took a team that was in the drivers seat for home court advantage throughout the playoffs and turned them into a road team for the conference semifinals. It took a team with the toughest interior defense in the league and made them rely on the knees of Jermaine O'neal. Worst of all, it took away the chemistry and that "edge" the celtics had by being the bullies of the east.

Wade and Lebron lived in the lane. Would that have been the case if Perkins was there to clean up, clotheslines and forearms in tow?

Its hard to say if the Celtics would have won the championship with Perkins, but I think one would have to be naive not to notice the differences in the way teams attacked Boston after the trade. I have never seen a trade turn a contender into such a mediocrity overnight.