Jermaine O’Neal, Suns Agree To 1-Year Contract

O’Neal, who went to Germany this March to receive the knee procedure Kobe Bryant and Grant Hill had in the past, has agreed to terms to join the Suns, according to the Arizona Republic. JO was hoping to land with the Lakers, but Friday’s Dwight Howard trade put an end to that: “In the shadow cast by Superman’s arrival in Los Angeles, the timing of Jermaine O’Neal’s choice to commit to the Suns on Friday was unfortunate as an unrelated move. Given the caliber of remaining NBA free-agent centers, O’Neal’s commitment to sign a one-year, $1.35 million contract with Phoenix could be fortuitous if — and it’s a huge if — O’Neal can be healthier than he has been for the later half of his 16-year career. The Suns had only a backup center role and a one-year, veteran’s minimum contract to offer with a franchise that is in transition.”