BOSTON, Aug. 4 (UPI) -- The Boston Celtics announced Wednesday they have signed likely future Hall of Fame center Shaquille O'Neal to a contract.
The team didn't reveal the terms of the deal, but The Boston Globe reported the deal to bring the NBA icon to the Celtics was for one year.
"It is not every day that you can add a player of Shaquille's caliber to your team," Celtics President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge said. "His past experience speaks for itself and we believe that he is a great fit for our roster."
The Celtics have lacked a true back-up center for Jermaine O'Neal, who was signed last year after starting pivot man Kendrick Perkins went down with a torn knee ligament.
Shaquille O'Neal now joins Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo and Ray Allen on a Celtics squad that would be sure to be favored to win the Eastern Conference again.
"I am honored to be joining the Celtics," O'Neal said in a statement. "I have played against Paul, Ray, Kevin, Rajon, and Jermaine for many years and it will be great to be able to call them my teammates. I cannot wait to get to Boston to get started in pursuit of another championship."
It is O'Neal's fourth team in four years while playing the twilight of his long career. The 38-year-old was effective against Boston while playing with the Cleveland Cavaliers in last season's Eastern Conference semifinals, both offensively and defensively, the Globe noted.
