Report: Celtics O'Neal Says He Never Asked For Buyout
BOSTON (CBS) - Jermaine O'Neal says he never asked for a buyout from the Boston Celtics.
"That's something that needs to be cleared up," O'Neal told CSNNE's A. Sherrod Blakely on Tuesday. "I never asked Danny (Ainge). I never spoke to Danny - quote me on this - about a buyout. Danny has never spoken to me about a buyout. Our conversation has always been strictly with [team trainer] Ed Lacerte and our doctors about my health and my ability to come back. "
"He said to the media that we were going to have a conversation, and we both had the same question for each other, 'Where does this stuff come from?'" continued O'Neal. "My concern and his concern was my ability to get back on the court. And if I couldn't, then I couldn't. He has supported me in such a way that . . . me and my family appreciate that."
DA Goes Off On "Gentle" Jermaine
Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports first reported that O'Neal would request a buyout, likely to re-join the Miami Heat.
O'Neal is scheduled to undergo surgery on his left wrist, ending his season and likely his Celtics career. O'Neal has been a big disappointment since signing a two-year deal with Boston prior to last season, playing in just 49 games averaging 5.2 points and 4.6 rebounds per game.
