Nope.
Ainge still traded away someone who should have been the starting C of the playoff team that season for a back up SF who is still the backup SF.
The Celtics have been playing undersized ever since. Even if the Celtics move Perk that offseason, a backup SF is still a terrible return.
In no way should Perkins be a starting center for anyone. The thunder continuing to start him despite his pathetic all round play baffles me. He has no passing game out of the horns set (which is the only play they actually let him touch the ball), he has no shooting, cannot finish around the rim, can't defend anyone except for centers that are slower or more inept offensively than he is, and he is literally a snail on the court. He was not the difference for the thunder and he sure as heck wouldn't have been for us.
Jeff green IS good enough to start for a lot of teams. He is backing up one of the all time greats though.
Perk starts because they have been a better team since the trade.
Green is good enough to start on another team. But the Celtics did not need a starting SF off the bench. They needed a solid player to play 15 minutes a night to give Pierce a break.
Perk being there does not necessarily make him the reason for their success.
The emergence of ibaka, and the improvement/increased experience of their two stars are the best two indicators for their improvement. Indicators that are actually backed up by statistical evidence. Not scowls.
Perkins' numbersNet Points per 100 Possessions
+8.9 On court
+10.0 Off court
-1.1
They are 1.1 points better off when he's not on the court.
Green's Numbers Net Points per 100 Possessions
-2.0 On court
-1.7 Off court
-0.3
Almost zero drop off when green comes on with the bench. Whereas perkins is a net negative as a starter, playing with Oklahoma's best players.
Let's look into opponent production vs own production for both players.
Perkins' numbers9.0 Own production average per 48
17.8 Opponent production average per 48
-8.9 Net production per 48
Not stopping many people defensively it seems.
Green's Numbers11.8 Own production average per 48
11.3 Opponent production average per 48
+0.5 Net production per 48
Not amazing by any standards but at least green is in the positive.