Report: Jermaine O'Neal agrees to sign with the Celts (update on page 11)

[Roy Hobbs]

Ha.  Bill Simmons predicted this, in his snarky, "put down Danny Ainge" sort of way.  I can't wait for the reaction.

[jdpapa3]

Any guesses on what the numbers will look like. I'm thinking 2 years for 12 million.

[Mike-Dub]

Any guesses on what the numbers will look like. I'm thinking 2 years for 12 million.

So two years full MLE.

[MBunge]

If it took the whole MLE, I'm not thrilled.  However, this is a great move because of Perk's injury.  Ainge really needed to find a starting caliber center who can play some serious minutes until Perk gets back.

Mike

[jsilva982]

Miami is clearly desperate for warm bodies...any chance a sign and trade could be worked out here so we could still have our MLE space and Sheed contract to work with?  

[ManUp]

For the MLE it's a good solid signing for less then the MLE it's a great pickup. As for filling in the rest of the roster that's what Sheed's contract is for. I'm positive Danny will be able to find some good deals.

[Lucky17]

I am hoping we still have some amount of the MLE left with which we can sign another backup big or a wing.

[misha]

He was our best realistic option and I'm glad he's joining. JO not as bad as our playoff series against Miami indicates and I think he still has two good years left in him.

[the_Bird]

Miami is clearly desperate for warm bodies...any chance a sign and trade could be worked out here so we could still have our MLE space and Sheed contract to work with?  

Miami has to renounce JO's right to have enough cap space if they are to sign LeBron.  Not sure if they've technically done that or not, but it's going to happen.  Once he's renounced, no possibility of a S&T.  

Even if they miss out on LeBron, there's zero benefit to Miami to trade for 'Sheed's expiring contract.  Doesn't ADD any net cap space for them (in fact, would likely use up space, as 'Sheed's still going to get one last check cut, and that buyout counts towards the cap.

[Evantime34]

Ha.  Bill Simmons predicted this, in his snarky, "put down Danny Ainge" sort of way.  I can't wait for the reaction.

Can I get a quote?

[Roy Hobbs]

Ha.  Bill Simmons predicted this, in his snarky, "put down Danny Ainge" sort of way.  I can't wait for the reaction.

Can I get a quote?

There were a couple at the time I believe, but one of them:

Jermaine O'Neal (5 for 31 in the playoffs) is right on track to get a 3-year, $18.9 million offer from Boston this summer.

Link.

The early Simmons reaction:

I'm leaning towards putting my fist thru a wall. RT @WojYahooNBA: Jermaine O'Neal leaning to signing w/Boston, but still considering Denver.

[clover]

Ha.  Bill Simmons predicted this, in his snarky, "put down Danny Ainge" sort of way.  I can't wait for the reaction.

Can I get a quote?

There were a couple at the time I believe, but one of them:

Jermaine O'Neal (5 for 31 in the playoffs) is right on track to get a 3-year, $18.9 million offer from Boston this summer.

Link.

Write enough thousands of words and some of them are bound to be not only right, but prescient.

[MBunge]

Miami is clearly desperate for warm bodies...any chance a sign and trade could be worked out here so we could still have our MLE space and Sheed contract to work with?  

Miami has to renounce JO's right to have enough cap space if they are to sign LeBron.  Not sure if they've technically done that or not, but it's going to happen.  Once he's renounced, no possibility of a S&T.  

Even if they miss out on LeBron, there's zero benefit to Miami to trade for 'Sheed's expiring contract.  Doesn't ADD any net cap space for them (in fact, would likely use up space, as 'Sheed's still going to get one last check cut, and that buyout counts towards the cap.

I believe that they also need to get rid of Beasley to offer max contracts to Wade, Bosh and LeBron.

Mike

[Big_Matt34]

It looks like its the full MLE, but atleast its only two years. I like the signing regardless.

http://www.bostonherald.com/blogs/sports/celtics/?p=718&srvc=home&position=recent

The Celtics have agreed to terms with free agent center Jermaine O’Neal.

According to sources, O’Neal will sign a two-year contract with the club for the mid-level exception. He will be paid $5.765 million for the upcoming season.

[Gainesville Celtic]

Any guesses on what the numbers will look like. I'm thinking 2 years for 12 million.

2 years, $5 Million... no way Ainge uses the whole MLE on a 30 y.o. guy with injury history.