NBA Trade Deadline: Jeff Green Dealt To Boston Celtics for Kendrick Perkins

Jeff Green is headed to the Boston Celtics in a shocking trade at the NBA Trade Deadline.

In a deal that seemingly came together rather close to the 3:00 p.m. EST deadline, the Oklahoma City Thunder have acquired center Kendrick Perkins and backup point guard Nate Robinson for Green and center Nenad Krstic.

The deal was first reported by Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski.

In a deal that should benefit both clubs, the Thunder will receive the defensive-minded center that they've sorely needed to clog the middle of the lane. Additionally, they will receive a legitimate backup PG in Nate Robinson, who can serve to anchor the second unit assuming James Harden now slides into the starting five.

For the Celtics, they acquire a very talented player in Jeff Green whose contract is set to expire at the conclusion of the season. It's a really interesting acquisition for the team as Green has really been playing well as of late, and should anchor backup spots for both the small forward and power forward positions.

Although Nenad Krstic isn't much to get excited about, he gives Boston legitimate size in the middle and a decent insurance policy for a banged-up Shaquille O'Neal.

The balance of power is shifting readily throughout the Eastern Conference, and it's clear that the Celtics felt that they needed to upgrade if they were going to have a real chance of winning the title. While Green may not push the team over the top, he brings them much closer than Perkins would have on his surgically-repaired knee.

Some Boston fans may be a little put off by the deal given the fact that Big Perk was so well received by the fans, but Jeff Green is simply the best player in this deal and at the end of the day there's really little room to argue with that.

It's a shrewd move by Danny Ainge in an effort to bring home banner No. 18 before the Celtics' window to a championship closes.