Celtics to sign Shaq

[Mr October]

wow the vet minimum amount is popping up in a bunch of articles and tweets.... I'd be floored if this happens.

[nickagneta]

Shaq at the minimum and with a prior understanding before the contract is signed that he is coming of the bench is a home run for Danny Ainge. He keeps the Rasheed Wallace contract trade asset. He gets that back up big man that the team desperately needs. He gets Shaq to understand ahead of time that he has to check the ego at the door and play a role.

And if things don't work out you buy him out and send him on his way.

I really think Shaq loves the idea of beating the Lakers as a Celtic next year and holding up the Larry O'Brien trophy with five fingers in the air while saying "Well. it's tied again!"

[celticinorlando]

Vet min would be A STEAL for a guy that can score 10-15 a game, rebound and defend. Boston doesn't need him to carry this team on offense. yes he is older but i believe he can help boston most on defense and on the glass


WE need to move the Sheed contract for a SF Shooter ASAP

[GreenFaith1819]

And somewhere in LA - Gasol and Bynum are quivering in their boots....

[Timdawgg]

I am so stoked right now. This is why I check CelticsBlog hourly....I love these days....

They are all old now but 5 years ago if someone said the Celts would have Shaq, KG, Ray Allen, Pierce, Jermaine O'Neal people would think that person was insane. That is close to an all 1st team all-NBA team right there 5 years ago.

Then to top it off none of those 5 are even the best player (Rondo)on the C's, no one would ever believe it.

I cannot wait for the season to start.

[celticinorlando]

i can't see danny signing shaq if he think sheed is coming back. now we get a legit big and still a chance to get the shooter danny is talking about...We now have the girth and size to knock out the lakers bigs.

[The Walker Wiggle]

when perk gets well...boston has a rotation of Shaq, KP, JO and Baby...VERY nice. they now have the size they need to beat the lakers...

C JO, Perk, Shaq

Except O'Neal will never accept a third string role.

He's my least favorite Laker, and I'm surprised he's getting this open-armed welcome.

Shaq on Orlando - "A dried-up little pond."

[FrDrake]

I hate everything about this signing except one important detail.  

If the Cs had a motivated Shaq in the finals last June, they get those god-darn boards in game 7 and they are now the champs.

[SCBirdman]

Article

http://www.nba.com/2010/news/08/03/shaq.celtics/?ls=iref:nbahpt2


Main part most of us probably want to see:

The Celtics, the source said, have told O'Neal that he has to come off the bench next season, and that O'Neal said he could accept a reserve role for the first time in his career.

Also in that article, Aldridge states that the Celtics are not optimistic about Perkins return for this season.

I think that is the biggest reason for this move. Anything we get from Perk will be a bonus this season.

Think about it guys, Perk tore all 3 ligaments in his knee. He is 6'10 280 pounds. I would be ecstatic if Perk could just be ready to give us 15 minutes in the playoffs.

[ssspence]

From Brian Windhorst....Not sure how reliable this is but just passing it along.

So if Shaq goes to Boston, it is likely going to be on a veteran's minimum contract of $1.4 million.

http://twitter.com/pdcavsinsider

I hope so.  Would leave the Wallace contract as a big trade chip going forward.  

Yes. The next deal should be this:

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=26aaewx

Cs throw in a pick to GSW to get it done.

Meanwhile, Windhorst is solid. The Cs have likely offered a deal at the min, and Shaq's thinkin' about it...

I like this better.

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=249vy9z

With a Boston 1st to Portland and DC 2nd (or protected 1st) to Portland.

I'd do either! But why does Washington want to give away picks (all they really want is picks at this point) for an injured guy to play behind McGee starting at the break?

[RebusRankin]

I like this. We need another big. A rotation of O'Neal, O'Neal, KG and BBD looks good to me. I think all 4 can give you a solid 24 a game.

[misha]

We are one time machine away from building the greatest dynasty ever.

[erisred]

 And given where they stand right now, I guess, why not swing for the fences.  I was a proponent of the Marbury signing for a similar reason, so I certainly can't argue against this too hard.

That's how I see it. Swing for the fences. If Shaq "fits in", he is still a good 20 to 25 min a game center.

A lot will depend on the contract's cost and length. Even more will depend on how much Shaq wants to go out a winner. If his desire to win is greater than his desire to be a star and he can sustain that in his play...look out league. If not, look out C's.

[GreenFaith1819]

All I know is, the man I saw on Jimmy Kimmel Live looked to be in really great shape, too. He gave me the impression of someone that's still on a mission.

[ssspence]

We are one time machine away from building the greatest dynasty ever.

Seriously. Einstein -- we're going back to Nine-teen Nine-ty-Nine!