Sources have told ESPN's Chris Broussard that Shaquille O'Neal is very close to joining the Boston Celtics, and could have a deal as soon as tomorrow. The C's have been in the market for a big man, even after inking Jermaine O'Neal to the mid-level exception last month. However, Shaq's presence would certainly bolster the corps needed to replace Kendrick Perkins who will miss at least half the season recovering from a major knee injury.
The 38 year old is well past his prime, but still can provide a scoring and rebounding punch on the inside. Plus, he still takes up a lot of room defensively as one of the biggest bodies in the NBA. The only hurdle left for Boston to jump is the terms on which O'Neal joins the team.
The gregarious center told Jimmy Kimmel on the comedian's show Monday that he would like to play for two more years. Because of salary cap constraints, the Celtics could only sign O'Neal to the veteran minimum for one season. However, they could work out a sign-and-trade with the Cavaliers, which allow them to go above the minimum and line up Shaq's deal with that of Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen so that the C's would have a boatload of cap space after the 2011-2012 season.
A few weeks ago, the Hawks were thought to be the front runner to land the big man, seeking out someone who could defend Dwight Howard. If O'Neal does indeed sign with the Celtics though, they become much deeper inside. He will also help to address one of their biggest issues last year: rebounding. As Kevin Garnett adjusts to his diminished physical abilities, he has been less effective as a rebounder. Shaq would more than make up for that, as well as provide a somewhat sunnier presence, to a team that led the league in technical fouls.
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