Jermaine O'Neal said he is not playing basketball this season

Former NBA All-StarJermaine O'Neal confirmed on Monday that he will not be returning to the court this season.

The 18-year veteran had been trying to make a comeback in the league after leaving the Golden State Warriors at the end of the 2013-14 season.

O'Neal even travelled to Germany to get treatment on his knees so he could play again, with the Dallas Mavericks a possible destination after the All-Star break.

But those plans have come to a halt after the 36-year-old used Instagram to reveal he is not 100 per cent ready to return.

'Every team that wanted me to sign are all championship contending teams and in order to except their offer I need to be 100% ready to go physically and mentally from the time that I sign that contract with no room for error beyond that point,' O'Neal wrote on Instagram.

'I don't feel like I'm at that position now with just 7 weeks of training and I'm not comfortable making that commitment at this point. The issue for me is timing and things feeling right. I'm a true believer of signs and listening and understanding life.'

O'Neal added: 'I'm not sure if there will ever be another time or not for me and basketball but what I do know at this moment is the time isn't right for me to play now.

'But just know I gave everything I had these last 7 weeks and I greatly appreciate each and every one of you guys for the positive words of encouragement thru my process.'

O'Neal averaged 7.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 20.1 minutes last season for the Golden State Warriors. He was a six-time All-Star with the Indiana Pacers and has career averages of 13.2 points and 7.2 rebounds per game.