Suns sign veteran O'Neal to contract

PHOENIX (AP) -- The Phoenix Suns have signed 16-year NBA veteran Jermaine O'Neal.

Length of the contract wasn't disclosed.

The 6-foot-11 O'Neal is expected to back up center Marcin Gortat, a role previously held by Robin Lopez, who has been traded.

The 33-year-old center has career averages of 13.7 points and 7.4 rebounds. O'Neal was drafted 17th overall directly out of high school. Later, with the Indiana Pacers, he played in six consecutive All-Star games. He also played for Toronto, Miami and Boston.

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