Kendrick Perkins, Thunder Agree To Contract Extension

Kendrick Perkins has agreed to an extension with the Oklahoma City Thunder, just six days after the big man was traded from the Boston Celtics at the NBA's deadline, the team announced Tuesday morning. Details are not yet known, but Perkins was eligible for a four-year extension. Earlier this year, he turned down a four-year, $22 million extension offer from the Celtics. 

"We had a unique opportunity to enter into discussions with Kendrick to solidify his future with our organization," said [Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam] Presti. "We are pleased to know that he will be a part of our core group now and in the future. Kendrick's blue-collar, team-first approach aligns with the vision we hold for building a sustainable team in the Oklahoma City community."

While Perkins (and the Celtics teammates left behind) were emotionally hurt by the trade, the extension shouldn't come as too much of a surprise. During his introductory press conference in Oklahoma City, Perkins told the media the Thunder had been on his radar for some time. 

"I actually talked to my agent about Oklahoma City last year," Perk told the media when he arrived in OKC. "I knew my contract was coming to an end, so I asked him, 'Do you think they would be interested?' God works in mysterious ways, and now I'm happy to be here."

Perkins has yet to play a game for the Thunder as he recovers from a strained MCL suffered in a game against the Warriors while still with the Celtics on Feb. 22. 

For more on Perkins and the extension, visit Welcome To Loud City and CelticsBlog.

NBA Trades: Grading The Celtics After Kendrick Perkins Deal

Kendick Perkins is gone. So is Nate Robinson. And Marquis Daniels. And to a lesser extent, rookies Semih Erden and Luke Harangody. All five players were traded away by the Boston Celtics on Thursday, for Jeff Green, Nenad Krstic, a couple draft picks and some cash. It was a wild Thursday afternoon, but now the dust has settled, which means it is time to hand out a grade. 

Mike Prada at SB Nation gives Danny Ainge and the Celtics a C- for their dealings, saying, "I'm not sure it was worth the risk."

I sort of see the logic, because the Celtics did play well while Perkins recovered from injury, but I still don't like the change. The Celtics do have a need on the wing, and Green provides it. He can play small forward in conventional lineups and power forward in small lineups, giving the Celtics a guy to check LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony. But the trade, combined with the salary dump of Semih Erden, removes the Celtics' advantage over the Heat, Knicks and other contenders: size. I'm not sure why Ainge removed that trump card to match what other teams are doing. Sure, having no Daniels is a void, but why not a smaller trade for an Anthony Parker or the like instead? Why tinker at the Celtics' essence?

That feeling is shared at CelticsBlog where, in a post titled "Danny's Folly," they write that , "the Celtics took a step backward this year," while a whopping 65 percent (1631 votes) do not like the trades. 

Checking in elsewhere around the Internet ... 

Bill Simmons gives the Celtics a C- as well, saying that their moves made sense on paper, but that personally, and emotionally, he didn't want to see it: 

And there's the rub. We don't play basketball on paper. I cared about this particular Celtics team more than any Celtics squad since Reggie Lewis was alive -- and that includes the 2008 title team -- mainly because the players enjoyed one another so much. I wasn't surprised to hear that Perkins cried for most of the day Thursday, that Boston's veterans were infuriated by the trade, that Rondo (Perk's best friend) was practically catatonic heading into Thursday night's game in Denver. These guys loved one another. As recently as last season, you couldn't have said that. But Shaq loosened everyone up; so did four full years of the core guys being together; so did Doc's belated maturation into an impactful coach (believe me, I'm as shocked as anyone); so did the contract extensions (Boston's four All-Stars are signed through at least 2012); so did the bonding experience of blowing Game 7 and having that purple confetti fall on their heads; so did the enduring belief that nobody had ever beaten them when they were healthy.

ESPN's John Hollinger gives Boston a grade of a B:

Everyone in Beantown is puzzled by this deal, but the Celtics desperately needed a wing and had a surplus of centers. Obviously, dealing Perkins was a risk, and getting the Clippers draft pick is of questionable value for a team trying to win a title right now. I wrote more about the move HERE, but suffice it to say I can understand the logic as long as the Celtics think it's the Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs, not the Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Lakers, who present the greatest threats to their title hopes this season.

Danny Ainge 'Agonized' Over Kendrick Perkins Trade

Following the trade that sent Kendrick Perkins and Nate Robinson to the Oklahoma City Thunder, the players were "livid." Perkins was emotional and crying. The locker room was silent. Kevin Garnett equated it to losing a family member. But it wasn't just the players who had trouble dealing with the shakeup. 

General Manager Danny Ainge -- ya know, the guy who made Thursday's trade -- went on WEEI Thursday evening to discuss the moves he made, saying that he and Doc Rivers "agonized" over the Perkins deal. 

"I'm as close to Perk as any of them," Ainge said. "I have a great relationship with him. I brought him in as an 18-year-old. It was very difficult. We shed some tears today, talking to Perk. It was tough. He's a good kid. I think he's going to a great situation for himself and for his future. I think Oklahoma City is a top-notch franchise and they obviously have some great young players. He has a bright future there, so that does make it a little bit easier."

Nate Robinson On Kendrick Perkins: 'He Was Real Emotional, Crying'

Thursday afternoon, just before the NBA's trade deadline, the Celtics sent Kendrick Perkins and Nate Robinson to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Jeff Green, Nenad Krstic and a draft pick. Those players left behind, preparing for a game against the Denver Nuggets, are "seriously hurting" in a silent locker room. 

And while we haven't heard from Perkins yet, Robinson spoke with the Boston Globe's Gary Washburn, and said he's talked with Doc Rivers and Danny Ainge, and understand it was a "business move," saying, "it's cool."

"I will never be surprised about anything. Especially with the trades and what everybody else is doing. I had a blast. The fans were great. They welcomed me with open arms. I had tough shoes to fill with Eddie House."

Robinson also discussed what it means to Perkins:

"He's taking it pretty hard because he's been here 8 years. He was real emotional, crying. I feel bad for him. He's been in real tied in with Rondo and other guys on the team. I feel his pain." 

"With Perk, everybody thinks he's mean because of how he looks but he's a soft giant. He has a good heart. He's a good person. I told him he's not alone. We're going (to OKC) together. It's not like you'll be by yourself, you got me right by your side. We're going to make it work together." 

Kendrick Perkins' Rejection Of Celtics' Contract Offer May Have Played Role In Trade

It's no secret that Kendrick Perkins wanted to get paid when his current contract with the Celtics expired come this summer. Danny Ainge was well aware of this, too, considering that Perkins rejected his contract offer of $22 million over four years.

In the end, that's may have played a role in Ainge's decision to send Perkins packing on Thursday afternoon. Boston traded their starting center of the past eight years along with Nate Robinson to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Jeff Green and Nenad Kristic.

It wasn't the amount of years that bothered Perkins, as he was only looking for a few extra (million) dollars. Here are Perkins' comments to CSNNE.com Celtics insider Anthony Sherrod Blakely from earlier this month.

"That wasn't it. They offered me four years, but it was closer to like $22 million," Perkins said. "You talking four years, $30 million! Shoot, that's different. That's a big difference."

Tom Ziller of SB Nation points out that, following Perkins' rejection of Boston's offer, Ainge knew that he probably wouldn't be getting his starting center back. Ziller also points out that the Celtics took a step back defensively with the trade.

 The fact that the Celtics tried this month to extend Perkins means that the franchise's belief in its own ability to keep the center at a fairly low salary was waning. Perkins didn't receive an adequate big man replacement in trading Perkins, with Jeff Green being more of a small forward and Nenad Krstic being both mediocre and a pending free agent. The Celtics also traded Semih Erden, a promising big man from Turkey, to the Cavaliers to cut salary.

Perkins, by holding out for more than $5 million a year, may have gotten himself traded.

Celtics Players Are 'Livid' Following Kendrick Perkins Trade

The news that the Celtics had traded Kendrick Perkins and Nate Robinson to the Thunder for Jeff Green and Nenad Krstic shocked many in the basketball world. It also apparently came as a huge surprise to Perkins' teammates. 

According to Adrian Wojnarowski, the Celtics are "livid."

As you'd expect, Celtics vets are livid over trade of Kendrick Perkins, sources say. He's the tough guy, enforcer. But BOS can't pay him.

Which isn't surprising, of course (thoughts and prayers to the person charged with the task of informing Kevin Garnett that Perkins has been sent off, by the way). The Celtics got their much-needed wing player in Jeff Green, along with Nenad Krstic, who is a serviceable center, but replacing Perkins won't be easy, both on and off the court (particularly the latter where his teammates are concerned I'd imagine). And the draft pick helps too, of course, but it doesn't help this season. 

Suddenly, Boston's left with Shaquille O'Neal, Jermaine O'Neal, and Nenad Krstic as their primary big man. And without Kendrick Perkins, the defense that owned Dwight Howard for the past few seasons suddenly looks a lot more manageable. It's not to say that Boston is suddenly mediocre without Perkins, but... Well, if this is Danny Ainge's grand plan, you can understand why guys like Paul Pierce and Garnett might be a little upset.

Jeff Green Traded To Celtics, Back Where He Started

Jeff Green has only been in the NBA for three and a half years, but he has made his presence known. In just a 289 games, all with the Seattle Sonics/Oklahoma City Thunder, Green has put up impressive numbers, averaging 14.2 points and 5.8 rebounds while shooting 44.3% for his career.

Green has gone under the radar for the majority of his career, but with news of Thursday’s blockbuster trade in which he was traded along with Nenad Krstic to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Kendrick Perkins and Nate Robinson, that may change.

The trade signifies a homecoming of sorts for Green, who was drafted by the Celtics with the fifth overall pick in the 2007 NBA draft. However, Green’s draft rights were immediately traded to the Seattle Sonics in exchange for a sharpshooter named Ray Allen.

Green is having another solid season this year, averaging 15.2 points and 5.6 rebounds in 49 games for Oklahoma City. In addition, he is shooting 43.7% from the floor and 30.4% beyond the arc.

The 6 ’9", 235-pound forward played college ball at Georgetown University and attended Northwestern High School in Hyattsville, Maryland.

Kendrick Perkins Trade Includes Clippers' 2012 No. 1 Pick For Celtics

In addition to acquiring Jeff Green and Nenad Krstic from the Thunder in the trade that sent Kendrick Perkins and Nate Robinson to Oklahoma City, the Boston Celtics received a 2012 first-round pick from the Los Angeles Clippers.

The pick is projected to be in the top ten and will reportedly be “the lower pick from either the Clippers or the Minnesota Timberwolves in that draft,” according to Mike Prada of SB Nation.

Oklahoma City acquired the draft pick last year in exchange for the 18th overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, which Los Angeles used to draft Eric Bledsoe. The Clippers received the pick back in 2005 in the trade that sent Marko Jaric to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Sam Cassell.

Nenad Krstic, Jeff Green Traded From Thunder To Celtics

In a week in which NBA superstars Carmelo Anthony and Deron Williams were traded, the Boston Celtics made a splash of their own minutes prior to the 2011 NBA Trade Deadline, sending center Kendrick Perkins and backup guard Nate Robinson to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for forward Jeff Green and center Nenad Krstic.

While Green (15.2 PPG, 5.6 RPG) is the centerpiece of the trade, the 27-year-old Krstic is a serviceable center who is capable of making an impact right away with the Celtics.

The seven-foot, 240-pound Krstic was born in Kraljevo, Serbia and was drafted by New Jersey Nets with the 24th overall pick of the 2004 NBA Draft. In his seven-year career, Krstic has averaged 10.1 points and 5.4 rebounds while shooting 49.2% from the field.

This season, Krstic is averaging 7.6 points and 4.4 boards in 47 games with Oklahoma City. He is shooting 49.8% from the floor and a career-high 80.3% from the free throw line.

Kendrick Perkins, Nate Robinson Reportedly Traded To Thunder For Jeff Green, Nenad Krstic

Minutes before the 2011 NBA Trade Deadline, the Boston Celtics have agreed to send Kendrick Perkins and Nate Robinson to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Jeff Green and Nenad Krstic, this according to reports from both FanHouse's Sam Amick and Yahoo!'s Adrian Wojnarowski. 

The Celtics had been trying to trade Robinson on Wednesday, to the Warriors, but the deal fell apart seemingly as quickly as it surfaced. Perkins is in the middle of sitting out three games with a strained MCL, an injury he suffered Tuesday night. 

Jeff Green, in his fourth season, was originally the No. 5 overall pick by the Celtics in the 2007 NBA Draft, but was promptly traded to Seattle in the Ray Allen deal. Green, like Perkins, come with expiring contracts, with the latter set to become an unrestricted free agent. 

The Thunder add a legitimate defensive center that they need in the Western Conference, while Boston gets the wing player they publicly have been after all week, plus Krstic, who can serve as a replacement for Perkins. Green should be able to add depth behind Paul Pierce and Ray Allen.

Read more on this trade and all things Celtics at CelitcsBlog.