Veteran swingman Mickael Pietrus was waived by the Phoenix Suns on Thursday, cleared waivers, and was scooped up Saturday by the Boston Celtics, a team in desperate need of a skilled wing player.

The 29-year old Pietrus agreed to a veteran minimum deal ($1.3 million) for the rest of the season when no team opted to pick up his $4 million pro-rated salary.

With Jeff Green out for the season, Paul Pierce doubtful for the opener in New York with a bruised heel, the C’s were in search for someone that could play Pierce’s position and fill Green’s versatility — even if he has knee problems.

Albeit a good signing, since Sasha Pavlovic (Marquis Daniels is more of a two-guard) is the only other true three on the roster, one could be concerned with the condition of Pietrus’ surgically-repaired right knee.

Swelling in the healing knee is what nullified a potential Phoenix-Toronto trade earlier this month.

However, the native of France reportedly will be able to play by the new year.

The arthroscopic procedure, which cleared out debris in the right knee, was performed last July.

Pietrus missed the last 11 games of the 2010-11 season with Phoenix because of pain and swelling in the knee.

Is He Ready: Pietrus is scheduled to undergo his physical exam in Boston on Monday because of the holiday, which means he won’t be available to the team until Tuesday’s visit to Miami at the earliest.

The 11th overall selection of the 2003 NBA Draft had this to say about his knee:

“My knee’s feeling better,” the eight-year 6-foot-6, 215-pound journeyman said. “I had time to get it stronger and I think I’ll be fine, ready to go, ready to help the Celtics whenever I’m healthy. In the case of the Celtics or the Lakers or the Magic, the most important thing is to get ready for the playoffs. I think I’m very close. I can’t say [when he'll play], but I’m very close.”

Pacers Almost Landed Pietrus: Pietrus’s agent, Bill McCandless, had said Friday there was a 15 percent chance a team that had tried to trade for Pietrus would claim him off of waivers. That team turned out to be the Pacers, but they passed, leaving Pietrus free to go to Boston.

“It was sort of a fait accompli,” McCandless said. “The question was, would Indiana claim him off of waivers since they were close to a trade? And they did not. Put aside all the tradition and stuff that we all know, and even that Mike knows growing up on a Caribbean island. The Celtics worked harder (than any other team). That’s a nice combo.”

All-Around Player: Pietrus, who was a key contributor in Playoff runs with Golden State and Orlando, believes he will make his presence felt on both ends of the floor.

“I think it’s going to be good for me,” he said. “I think I can help them both ways, offensively and defensively. They have guys who know how to win games. Those guys know how to win championships. For me, it’s an honor to play for the Celtics. I’m very excited to playing with a team that has a chance to win a championship. My agent talked to other teams but for me it was important to get to a team that was going to make the playoffs…Right now I’m going to try to improve the Celtics. There’s someone I really like on the team, Kevin Garnett. And I like Doc Rivers, too. It’s going to be a perfect fit for me.

Even though he’s just signed for the rest of the season, Pietrus said he hopes to be with the Celtics long-term.

“I’m not in Boston for only four months,” he said. “I’m in Boston for six years. I love that team.”

Danny Ainge on the signing:  “We are very excited to be able to add Mickael to our team,” Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge said in a statement released by the team. “His skills as a perimeter defender and an outside shooter provide great versatility to the roster.”

Doc Rivers on the addition: “He would be a good addition for any team,” said Rivers. “He would be athletic, he would bring some toughness. He can guard 2′s and 3′s. He can stretch the floor. Whoever gets him, will be getting a heck of a player, if he’s healthy.”

Former Magic teammate Brandon Bass: “He’s a good defender. I think that’s the strength of his game. He can guard the best two guards in the league, at least that’s what he showed when I was with him in Orlando.”