BOSTON (AP) — Rasheed Wallace is joining Boston’s Big Three as the Celtics try to recapture the NBA championship they won in 2008.

The four-time All-Star known for his shooting, rebounding and technical fouls signed Wednesday, the first day free agents were allowed to do so.

One of the most coveted players available, Wallace joins Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen as the veteran corps of a team that lost to Orlando in seven games in the Eastern Conference semifinals one year after winning its 17th NBA title.

Terms of the deal were not released. Wallace earned $13.68 million last season as he completed a five-year contract with Detroit.

Wallace can play the low post and has exceptional shooting range. He averaged 12 points per game for the Pistons last year, the 14th straight season in which he’s scored at least 10 points per game.

Celtics general manager Danny Ainge said the team was “ecstatic” to add a player with Wallace’s talent and championship experience. He won a title with Detroit in 2004.

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With Boston, the 6-foot-11 Wallace figures to back up Garnett at power forward and Kendrick Perkins at center. The Celtics also could retain Glen Davis, a restricted free agent who filled in well when Garnett missed the playoffs with a knee injury. Garnett had surgery and is expected back for training camp.

Wallace has averaged 15 points and 6.9 rebounds with 1.3 blocks while playing almost 34 minutes per game in his 14 seasons. Now he must adjust to a backup role after starting 943 of his 1,009 regular season games.

He also must try to keep his temper in check. He was suspended for Detroit’s game at New Jersey on April 1 for picking up his 16th technical of the season the previous night.

But Ainge loves Wallace’s productivity and his ability to draw big men away from the basket with his 3-point shot.

“We are ecstatic to be able to add a player the caliber of Rasheed Wallace to our team,” Ainge said. “It is not every day that you can add a four-time All-Star and a player with championship experience.”

The Celtics put a full-court press on Wallace in their bid to bring him to Boston. Last week, Ainge, coach Doc Rivers, owner Wyc Grousbeck, Garnett, Pierce and Allen visited him at his home in the Detroit area. His agent, Bill Strickland, said during the weekend that Wallace had decided to join the Celtics.


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