Boston Celtics: Sifting Through the Remains of the Celtics Roster

Yesterday, the thought was that if the Boston Celtics could pick up a solid swingman to compliment Paul Pierce, they'd be all set. If they couldn't, it wasn't going to change the fact that the Celtics were still the favorites to raise their 18th banner at the end of the season. Suddenly, a day later, that "favorites" tag is taking a major hit.

The Celtics dealt center Kendrick Perkins and guard Nate Robinson to the Oklahoma City Thunder for forward Jeff Green and center Nenad Krstic. Also, Semih Erdin and Luke Harangody were dealt to the Cleveland Cavaliers for a second-round pick, while Marquis Daniels was shipped to Sacramento for a future second-round pick.

If my math is right, that's five players gone, with only two returning.

With the additions of the two O'Neal's in the offseason, plus the addition of Erdin, add the return of Perkins midway during the season, and the Celtics had one prohibitive advantage over the rest of the league—size.

They have size to put up against Dwight Howard's Magic, size that the Miami Heat don't have, and finally size that would compete with Gasol and Bynum, if the Celtics were able to return to the NBA Finals.

As the Celtics lost their grip on last night’s game against the Denver Nuggets, all that size was missing in action, while we watched Chris Johnson (who?) play significant minutes.

Jermaine O'Neal has been an afterthought this season for the few stretches he's actually been on the court. Shaq has been a nice surprise on the season, but unless the Celtics have been strategically resting "The Diesel", injuries have been beginning to catch up. Now, the Celtics are relying on this combo to return healthy for the stretch run and carry the load created by the departure of Perkins.

Let's take a look of the ex-Celtics and how their void will be filled.

Kendrick Perkins

Replacement - Nenad Krstic

You want to talk about replacing someone with his exact opposite? Exit Perk, enter Nenad.

Kendrick Perkins, the tough of nails, don't-mess-with-me center, provided the perfect protection to any opponent who had the slightest thought of taking a cheap shot at any of his teammates. He's now replaced by a European player, who'd rather hang around the arc taking jump shots. As a full-time starting center, he can't bring down even five rebounds a game.

Perk is the very definition of why stats aren't everything. No one defends Dwight Howard as well or matches up against Bynum like Perkins. His presence is going to be difficult to replace.

Nate Robinson

Replacement - None

Hardly a major loss, as Nate never found a rhythm this season. Maybe if Delonte West was healthy this season, and Nate was allowed to be more of a shooting guard, things would have been different. But, they weren't, and Nate couldn't fill the roll of backup point guard to Rajon Rondo. Von Wafer should be able to equate what Robinson was hoped to provide.

Marquis Daniels

Replacement - Jeff Green

This is obviously, the position where the Celtics made their greatest improvement. Daniels was having a solid year before his freak neck injury put his season in jeopardy. Even with that said, Green provides a major upgrade to the Celtics' second unit.

Fitting the mold of James Posey, Green will finally be able to play at his natural position of small forward. Averaging 15.2 ppg, with 5.6 boards, Green's actually having a down year. He'll provide the Celtics with some much-needed versatility.

Semih Erdin and Luke Harangody

Replacement - None

One would have to hope a Troy Murphy or someone of the ilk is bought in, because, as of now, this move is pretty baffling.

Now, neither of these two was going to be a difference maker, but each had shown some flashes of skill (Erdin, more so).  To dump both of them for a second-round pick, you can only hope there's something big coming down the pipeline. Especially in Erdin's case—with his size and raw skill—you thought the Celtics had something to try and mold into a player. 

So, what do you think of the Celtics' new look? And who would you like to see them add, if possible, due to buy-outs? Make your opinion known in the comments section.