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

[Gomesfan]

Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated has Dallas also in the mix.

Jermaine O'Neal is in discussions with Boston, Dallas and Denver, a source familiar with the discussions told SI.

This link is older than this one.......http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/67953/20100707/jermaine_leaning_towards_picking_boston/


It's down to Boston and Denver
!

[Drucci]

I didn't like the idea of using a portion of the MLE on Jermaine but I thought about it and I'm ok with it now. He fills a big (litterally) need at the center position. I still have his pathetic performance (counter performance, really) against us in the first round in mind but he was injured and played against Perk. Hopefully he stays healthy and contributes during the season, and then become a great big off the bench, with less pressure and responsibility on his shoulders.

[snively]

If he can stay healthy, then its a great signing (well, if its less than the MLE...if its for the whole MLE, its OK).  I just hope they can get another servicable big man, because with Perk out for so long, I am not confident in JO and KG staying healthy.

I concur.  The question is who?  Joe Smith, Theo Ratliff or James Singleton are likely to be available at the minimum.  If we don't have to spend the full MLE on JO than Kwame Brown could still be in play.

Oh yeah, and Mark Blount!

Kurt Thomas?

Excellent.  Danny doesn't seem to be a fan though (seems like his name comes up every offseason and we're never attached to it)

[SCBirdman]

Latest from Yahoo says JO leaning towards signing with Boston, with Denver still in consideration. Dallas is out. Looks like it will be for most, if not all of the MLE. I am still fine with this. We can get Kwame for the vet minimum.

Hopefully we can use the MLE for BOTH JO and Kwame.

[lon3lytoaster]

I don't know about this one. Even if I try to forget his playoff series against us I still don't know.

I would have liked to use the MLE on someone else, personally.

[msimpson77]

I am good with this signing at $4m per year for 2 years. It would leave us enough for one small signing over the min.

[FallGuy]

I didn't realize you could sign a player who was legally deceased.

Another coup for Danny.

Ironically every time I see that pic of Hubie Brown I think of zombies.

I think Hubie brings more to the table than O'Neal at this point in their careers. Especially in the mobility department.

But as you note, as one of the undead, he is only fit to do color commentary on TV.

[greg_kite]

J.O. isn't the player he used to be but he's still a solid vet.  He won't do well against the wide centers but he will be a decent weak side defender and be the second shot blocker the team needs.  On this team he could be a better defender than he was in Miami where he had to cover for pretty much the whole team.

I like that he can shoot jumpers and actually finish at the rim too.  Something we've needed for a while.

I hope he picks Boston.

[hpantazo]

J.O. isn't the player he used to be but he's still a solid vet.  He won't do well against the wide centers but he will be a decent weak side defender and be the second shot blocker the team needs.  On this team he could be a better defender than he was in Miami where he had to cover for pretty much the whole team.

I like that he can shoot jumpers and actually finish at the rim too.  Something we've needed for a while.

I hope he picks Boston.

It will take a little getting used to having a center who can hit a jumper but doesn't wander out beyond the three point arc. Unfortunately he takes longer than a tv timeout to shoot a free-throw.  Is there any confirmation that he signed with us yet?

[nickagneta]

O'Neal would be good getting about $4 million per.

Then sign Kwame Brown as the 3rd string center for the rest of the MLE

Then use Rasheed's and Gafney's and LaFayette's contracts along with a first round pick to send to a team that wants to cut payroll and pick up a wing.

[Ace_Geraci]

If we give O'Neal anything more than the vet minimum, it will be a waste. O'Neal is barely serviceable.  I'd rather offer the whole MLE to Reddick, Morrow, or Mike Miller than give any portion of it to O'Neal. Vet min, fine, any of the MLE, no way.

I think we should deal Wallace's contract and Davis to Golden State for Bierdrins. Then sign Reddick or Morrow to an offer sheet using the MLE. If either team matches, then offer the MLE to Mike Miller.

[moiso]

I don't want him, even as a backup, and even if he comes cheap.  I'd rather have Kurt Thomas, a guy who competes.  Last year we signed my least favorite player in the league- Wallace.  I hope this year we don't sign my second least favorite player- O'Neal.  The guy a fake tough guy and a choker.  There isn't any competitiveness in O'Neal.

[Redz]

If we give O'Neal anything more than the vet minimum, it will be a waste. O'Neal is barely serviceable.  I'd rather offer the whole MLE to Reddick, Morrow, or Mike Miller than give any portion of it to O'Neal. Vet min, fine, any of the MLE, no way.

I think we should deal Wallace's contract and Davis to Golden State for Bierdrins. Then sign Reddick or Morrow to an offer sheet using the MLE. If either team matches, then offer the MLE to Mike Miller.

I know stats aren't everything but considering what it sounds like they're paying for him he's still pretty darn serviceable.

Last season:

JO 70 Games
KG 69 Games

JO 28.4 MPG
KG 29.9 MPG

JO .529 FG%
KG .521 FG%

JO 6.9 RPG
KG 7.3 RPG

JO 13.6 PPG
KG 14.3 PPG

JO 1.4 BPG
KG 0.8 BPG

I know he looked like total poop against us, but he's still very capable of filling a role that the Celts need filled.

[xmuscularghandix]

If we give O'Neal anything more than the vet minimum, it will be a waste. O'Neal is barely serviceable.  I'd rather offer the whole MLE to Reddick, Morrow, or Mike Miller than give any portion of it to O'Neal. Vet min, fine, any of the MLE, no way.

I think we should deal Wallace's contract and Davis to Golden State for Bierdrins. Then sign Reddick or Morrow to an offer sheet using the MLE. If either team matches, then offer the MLE to Mike Miller.

Whole MLE to Reddick!? 

[xmuscularghandix]

If we give O'Neal anything more than the vet minimum, it will be a waste. O'Neal is barely serviceable.  I'd rather offer the whole MLE to Reddick, Morrow, or Mike Miller than give any portion of it to O'Neal. Vet min, fine, any of the MLE, no way.

I think we should deal Wallace's contract and Davis to Golden State for Bierdrins. Then sign Reddick or Morrow to an offer sheet using the MLE. If either team matches, then offer the MLE to Mike Miller.

I know stats aren't everything but considering what it sounds like they're paying for him he's still pretty darn serviceable.

Last season:

JO 70 Games
KG 69 Games

JO 28.4 MPG
KG 29.9 MPG

JO .529 FG%
KG .521 FG%

JO 6.9 RPG
KG 7.3 RPG

JO 13.6 PPG
KG 14.3 PPG

JO 1.4 BPG
KG 0.8 BPG

I know he looked like total poop against us, but he's still very capable of filling a role that the Celts need filled.

Exactly. People here are basing their JO opinion on just his playoff performance. O’Neal was hurt, and was in a position where the Celtics could lock in on him and remove him.

O’Neal had a great comeback year last year, and I think he’s exactly what is needed in Boston. A temporary starter who can move to the bench and become an asset off the bench.

He’s a huge upgrade over Perkins offensively WITHOUT leaving a massive dropoff defensively.