"For a few final moments, he was one of the guys. Kendrick Perkins walked through the tunnel at Pepsi Center yesterday morning to participate in his final function as a Celtic.

It appeared to be a normal shootaround as Perkins, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen walked onto the court having a passionate conversation that induced a couple of four-letter words from Garnett. It was time for business.

But Perkins, as it turns out, is no longer a part of the Celtics' business.

Team president Danny Ainge executed a stunning deal yesterday that sent Perkins — one of the team's most popular players and hardest workers — along with Nate Robinson to Oklahoma City for former Celtics draft pick Jeff Green, center Nenad Krstic, and the Clippers' 2012 first-round pick (a selection owned by the Thunder).

The initial reaction is shock and disappointment, but Ainge has shown throughout the years that he's unafraid of a bold move. Perkins is an impending free agent, so his expiring contract was an attractive trade piece."