Jermaine O’Neal Ends Comeback Attempt
Published at(DALLAS) — Despite initial plans to return for a 19th NBA season, veteran forward Jermaine O’Neal will not play this season.
O’Neal was coveted by the Dallas Mavericks among other teams, and despite training to prepare for the grind of the NBA season, O’Neal decided it wasn’t the right time to return.
“I don’t feel like I’m at that position now with just seven weeks of training, and I’m not comfortable making that commitment at this point,” O’Neal wrote in an Instagram post. “The issue for me is timing and things feeling right. I’m a true believer of signs and listening and understanding life.”
ESPN reports that the Mavericks are still interested in signing O’Neal if he changes his mind. The Mavericks will also be signing former New York Knicks power forward Amare Stoudemire once or if he clears waivers, ESPN adds.
A former All-Star during his time with the Indiana Pacers from 2000-2008, O’Neal transformed himself into a reliable bench player capable of playing good defense. During his career, O’Neal has averaged 13.2 points and 7.2 rebounds per game.
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