NBA Free Agency 2013: Jermaine O’Neal Signs With Golden State Warriors
By Chris Roling
One of the predictable moves of NBA free agency has finally been finalized—Jermaine O’Neal has agreed to a deal with the Golden State Warriors.
The Warriors are signing O’Neal to either the bi-annual exception or part of the mid-level exception as his reported salary by Chris Haynes of Comcast Sportsnet exceeds the veteran minimum:
Jermaine O'Neal's deal with Golden State is one-year, $2 million, I'm being told. That's a solid pickup.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) July 9, 2013
ESPN’s Marc Stein had news of the signing first on Twitter:
Jermaine O'Neal, I'm told, is bound for the Golden State Warriors
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 9, 2013
One-year deal for O'Neal w/Golden State, helping Dubs fortify front line that has also added Marreese Speights to Bogut (and injured Ezeli)
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 9, 2013
This is another great move for the Warriors, a team that has made a habit of making all the right moves this offseason. Andrew Bogut is an injury waiting to happen, as are the rest of the big men on the roster. O’Neal can come in and play 15-18 minutes per game and provide some insurance.
O’Neal is getting up there in age but averaged over eight points per game last season. He is also an outstanding presence on defense that will help solidify the middle under the basket.
O’Neal is no Dwight Howard, but he is a nice stop-gap solution that can play a veteran role off the bench and make positive contributions should an injury occur.
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