Boston, MA - The Boston Celtics have signed center/forward Jermaine O'Neal.

As per team policy, no terms of the deal were announced.

However, according to a report in last week's Boston Globe, O'Neal agreed to the mid-level exception of $5.7 million for the 2010-11 campaign.

O'Neal spent last season with the Miami Heat and averaged 13.6 points with 6.9 rebounds in 70 games, all starts. He joined the Heat in a February 2009 trade with Toronto.

"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."

The 31-year-old veteran is a six-time All-Star who entered the NBA straight out of high school in 1996 and spent his first four seasons with Portland. He then played eight years for Indiana and owns career averages of 14.2 points and 7.5 rebounds in 863 games over 14 seasons.


Celtics re-sign Ray Allen
Boston, MA - The Boston Celtics have re-signed guard Ray Allen, the team announced Tuesday.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but reports from last week said Allen agreed to a two-year, $20 million contract.

"Re-signing Ray has been a priority of ours this offseason and this move will allow us to stay at a championship level," said Danny Ainge, Celtics president of basketball operations.

Allen averaged 16.3 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game over 80 contests last regular season. He also averaged 16.1 points during the team's playoff run, which ended with a Game 7 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals.

During the championship series, Allen set an NBA Finals record by sinking eight three-point shots in a Game 2 victory.

"I am ecstatic to be back in Boston," Allen said. "I cannot wait to get onto the court and get back to work with the rest of the team in pursuit of Banner 18."

Over 14 seasons in the NBA, Allen has averaged 20.5 points in 1,022 games. He ranks second in NBA history in three-pointers made (2,444) and attempted (6,176).


Wizards get Hinrich from Bulls
Washington, DC - The Washington Wizards have acquired guard Kirk Hinrich, the draft rights to Kevin Seraphin and cash considerations from the Chicago Bulls in exchange for Vladimir Veremeenko.

The deal was put together on June 24, the day of the NBA Draft, and made official Thursday after the league's moratorium on player transactions was lifted and the salary cap ramifications of the deal were sorted out.

Hinrich, who was set to make $17 million over the final two years of a $47.5 million pact agreed upon at the start of the 2006-07 season, had spent his entire seven-year pro tenure in Chicago. The former Kansas standout started 53 of 74 games last season and averaged 10.9 points, 4.5 assists and 3.5 rebounds while shooting 37.1 percent from three-point range.

In 514 career games with the Bulls, including 433 starts, the 29-year-old has averaged 13.4 points, 5.8 assists, 3.4 boards and shot 37.9 percent on threes. He's made at least 100 three-pointers in all but two of his NBA seasons.

He leaves as the Bulls all-time leader in three-point field goals made (812) and attempted (2,144) and ranks fourth in team history in assists (3,004) and steals (655).

The 20-year-old Seraphin, a 6-foot-9, 240-pounder from French Guiana, was the 17th overall selection in last month's draft. He helped France win the silver medal at the 2009 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship.

"We are excited to add Kirk and Kevin to our team, as their acquisitions significantly bolsters our roster," said Wizards general manager Ernie Grunfeld. "Kirk will provide another solid veteran presence to our backcourt and bring playoff-tested toughness, defense and leadership."

Veremeenko was a second round choice, 48th overall, by the Wizards in the 2006 NBA Draft and has yet to play in the league. He spent last season in the Russia-A Superleague.


Nets agree in principle with F Outlaw
East Rutherford, NJ - The New Jersey Nets agreed in principle with veteran forward Travis Outlaw on a 5 year $35 million contract.

"We are very pleased to add Travis to our roster," said Nets president Rod Thorn. "He is a young, athletic player who will fit in very well with the style of play that (head coach) Avery (Johnson) has installed."

The 25-year-old Outlaw was taken with the 23rd overall pick in the 2003 draft by Portland and played six-plus seasons with the Trail Blazers before getting dealt to the Los Angeles Clippers in February.

In 34 games -- six starts -- with both teams in 2009-10, Outlaw combined to average 9.1 points and 3.6 rebounds.

For his career, he has appeared in 400 contests, starting 32, and has averaged 9.5 points and 3.4 rebounds.


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