O’Neal signs with Celtics

Sports reports that the Celtics have agreed to a deal with free agent center Jermaine O’Neal. Details are still emerging, but the Boston Herald reports that it’s a 2-year deal, and that O’Neal will be paid $5.765 million for the 2010-2011 season.

O’Neal earned more than $23 million last season but was willing to take the $5.7 million mid level exception for a chance to win a title. And it’s good news for Celtics fans hoping their team can compete with the Miami Heat if they manage to sign LeBron James. O’Neal struggled mightily in the playoff series against the Celtics last April, going 9-for-44 from the field and averaging 4.2 points, but when he is playing well, O’Neal is a solid perimeter player and rebounder.

The move would ease the pressure of finding a replacement for Kendrick Perkins, who is expected to miss a large portion of the upcoming season following an injury suffered during Game 6 of the NBA Finals. The Celtics had been increasingly rumored to have interest in signing 38-year-old Shaquille O’Neal, a move that seems less likely now.

This gives Boston some frontline help that they need with Kendrick Perkins out until a couple months into the season. He also gives the Celtics some depth so Kevin Garnett can have his minutes scaled back and keep his knees fresh for the playoffs.

The 6-foot-11 O’Neal is a15-year NBA veteran, mostly with Indiana but most recently in Miami. Last season he averaged 13.6 points and 6.9 rebounds in 28.4 minutes per game.

O’Neal had a good season last year in Miami, a career high shooting percentage of nearly 53 percent and giving the Heat 13.6 points per game. His all around offensive game was better, as evidenced by a PER of 17.9, the best number he has had since his peak years early in the last decade.

The addition of O’Neal does not affect Boston’s interest in Kwame Brown. However, Brown would likely have to sign for the veteran’s minimum now.

“It’s all about team, winning championships,” O’Neal said. “That’s why I’m coming.”