Reports of the Celtics' acquisition of O'Neal were released earlier this month, bit Celtics president Danny Ainge made the news official on Wednesday.
"Jermaine provides veteran leadership and experience," Ainge said. "His talents are an excellent complement to our core roster."
O'Neal helps fill the gap left by C's center Kendrick Perkins, who will miss the first part of the 2010-2011 season recuperating from knee surgery, after tearing the ACL in his right knee in Game 6 of the NBA Finals.
A 14-year NBA veteran, O'Neal began his career with the Portland Trail Blazers, spent eight seasons with the Indiana Pacers, moved to the Toronto Raptors for half a season and played the last year and a half with the Miami Heat. He has averaged 14.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.9 blocks in his career. Last season in Miami, he recorded a career high in field goal percentage with a 52.9 mark.
"When the opportunity arose for me to join an organization like the Celtics, I could not refuse," O'Neal said. "I cannot wait to get to Boston and start to practice with the rest of the team in pursuit of a championship."
Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but according to media reports, it is for two years and nearly $12 million, the full midlevel exception.
