Report: Celtics on verge of nabbing West

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WALTHAMThe Boston Celtics are reportedly on the verge of adding yet another power forward to the mix in David West.

According to NBA.com, the C's would acquire West via sign-and-trade from New Orleans.

Yahoo! Sports reported that Jermaine O'Neal and another player would be included in the deal, and that West would receive a three year contract worth more than 27 million.

CSNNE.com has learned that the deal has lost some steam, but both sides are expected to re-engage in talks on Saturday.

O'Neal has said repeatedly that the only reason he returned this season, was to compete for an NBA title.

The Hornets are not expected to make the playoffs, let alone compete for an NBA championship.

A source close to O'Neal told CSNNE.com that if he were to be traded to the Hornets, O'Neal would immediately ask them to be waived.

Once he clears waivers, the same source said that O'Neal would try to latch on with a title contender.

At the top of that list would be the Miami Heat, the team O'Neal played for prior to signing with the Celtics in the summer of 2010.

The acquisition of West would certainly bolster the Celtics frontline with a player who is a proven scorer in this league.

The two-time all-star is a 16.4 points per game scorer throughout his career, and averages 7.3 rebounds per game.

But if there's a knock on the 6-foot-9, 240 pound forward, it's his health.

West suffered a season-ending ACL injury in his left knee which - for now at least - isn't a concern.

Still, the idea of adding West gives the Celtics increased depth at the power forward position.

But in trading O'Neal, the Celtics would be shipping out their only center with experience.

On Friday, the C's announced a number of signings.

Among them was Greg Stiemsma, a 6-11 center who has never played in the NBA after two solid years with the Sioux Falls Sky Force of the NBA's D-League.

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