National Basketball Association

Report: Besiktas says Shaq to join team

Published Dec. 8, 2010 12:00 a.m. ET

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The general manager of Turkish basketball club Besiktas claimed Wednesday that Boston Celtics center Shaquille O'Neal will join the team next season, according to the basketball news website Hoopsnotes.

Seref Yalcin said he has met with O'Neal in the United States and the future Hall of Famer told him, "I want to be a champion this season with Boston. But I’m coming to Turkey next year.”

“Some people will still come out and say ‘Shaq won’t come to Turkey’,” Yalcin added. “But the chances are very high.”

Yalcin was successful in signing former NBA All-Star Allen Iverson to a two-year contract in late October. The 35-year-old guard was unlikely to be signed by an NBA team at the time.

O'Neal has said that his plan is to play two seasons with the Celtics, then retire at age 40. O'Neal's two-year contract with Boston includes a player option for next season, which could be jeopardized by a lockout if the NBA and the players union fail to reach a deal on a new collective bargaining agreement.

Shaq is having a stellar season for the Celtics so far, averaging 11.3 points and 6.5 rebounds, while shooting 69 percent from the field.
 

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