Celtics Prefer Cassell

by Jeff Clark on Jan 28, 2008 12:02 AM EST in Boston Celtics Rumors

The Celtics appear to be taking their time on Damon Stoudamire. At their current rate, the Celts may run out of time.
Having been bought out by the Memphis Grizzlies, the veteran point guard will clear waivers on Wednesday, which is a formality, as he has no contract to pick up.
According to league sources, the Celts are checking out other possibilities and it’s believed they may have interest in another player, thought to be Sam Cassell of the Los Angeles Clippers. That matter would require time to work out, but the C’s will have to move quickly on Stoudamire if they want him.

"We want to have him to be able to join his new team and be ready to go the following day," Goodwin said. "This isn’t about money or anything. Damon knows he’s going to be getting the veteran minimum. He just wants a chance to play and an opportunity to go for a championship. That’s all that’s important to him at this point. The clubs we’re talking about all afford him that opportunity, so we’re confident he’ll be in a good situation by Thursday."

The Boston Globe quotes Danny and Rondo:

Celtics director of basketball operations Danny Ainge said he doesn't comment on free agents. "I understand the [veteran point guard] speculation," Ainge said. "We're going to be in the playoffs. We have a young point guard [Rajon Rondo]. But I don't want to just have a veteran point guard. We need the right veteran point guard. I'm happy with our roster."
Stoudamire said yesterday he plans on working out in Houston. Rondo said it would benefit him to have a veteran backup to turn to for advice. Stoudamire has said he'd have no problem backing up Rondo.
"I know his capabilities from playing against him the last two years," Rondo said. "He's a smart point guard, he's been around the league a long time, and he knows a lot about the game. He can shoot the ball and he knows how to run an offense. So [it would] be another bonus for me as an individual learning more about the game."
Speculation persists that the Celtics also have interest in Clippers point guard Sam Cassell, a former teammate of Garnett's. The only way the Celtics likely could acquire Cassell is if the veteran is bought out of his contract, since Boston doesn't appear to have the right pieces to make a trade.
An NBA source said the Clippers would consider buying out Cassell if he worked out a reasonable agreement, but nothing is imminent.
Cassell is making $6.1 million this season.

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Comments

I think I’d take Stoudamire. Cheaper and healthier. Sam’s got championship experience, but at 38 I don’t think he’s got much left.

by LuckyNumber07 on Jan 28, 2008 8:01 AM EST reply actions

Lucky, I guess you haven’t watched any Clipper’s games this year. Cassell definitely still has it. Cassell at 38 is twice the player Stoudamire is right now.

by Bankshot on Jan 28, 2008 8:19 AM EST reply actions

Sam Cassell has really upped his level of play over the last 8 or so games. He was struggling with several injuries before that and looked fairly dodgy out there … but he’s been magnificent lately.

by Who on Jan 28, 2008 8:32 AM EST reply actions

I think I’d take either at this point.
When Rondo went out yesterday, Orlando put a nice run together.
It’s a clear need that must be addressed ASAP.

by mcpu40 on Jan 28, 2008 8:42 AM EST reply actions

I love Sam and think he’s just the perfect fit for this team. The question is do you play it safe and sign Stoudamire, or do you wait around for Sam and risk getting nobody? I’m inclined to wait for Sam, our championship chances improve exponentially with that guy on our team IMO.

by NYDan on Jan 28, 2008 9:39 AM EST reply actions

I don’t have a problem playing it safe and rolling the dice on Cassell IF we sign Randy Livingston to a 10-day contract immediately.

Smitty

by smitty1965 on Jan 28, 2008 9:44 AM EST reply actions

i would prefer sam as well. he’s a short term fix because of his age. la is in the catbird seat and should not be in any hurry because sam is giving them quality time. i hope danny has a plan c or d, because that’s where we will probably have to go. with a backup pg pickup house will not lose time- tony will.

by nazzbo on Jan 28, 2008 10:11 AM EST reply actions

Smitty said:
I don’t have a problem playing it safe and rolling the dice on Cassell IF we sign Randy Livingston to a 10-day contract immediately.

Smitty

Why immediately? He’s not going anywhere quickly

by Who on Jan 28, 2008 10:15 AM EST reply actions

Cassell is still starting for the Clippers and averaging close to 30 minutes this month. I don’t know why everyone believes it is a given that he is bought out. We have 2 spots open for a vet point and another big. This would address our major weakness for nothing more that the veteran minimum. Pick up Stoudamire right away, there’s really no reason not to.

by Womialas on Jan 28, 2008 10:34 AM EST reply actions

Cassell already has a couple rings. He may not be too inclined to give up money just to go to a contender. He doesn’t have any more big pay days coming up, and unlike Stoudamire, he’s still getting a lot of PT right now. So there is still a chance he just plays out his contract.

by CelticsWhat35 on Jan 28, 2008 11:19 AM EST reply actions

I’d prefer Cassell as well, but Damon isn’t as bad a fit as some might think. The real issue thou is, what happens to our guard rotation when/if we get a quality backup pg….how would EHouse/TA mins be affected, not to mention that both Damon and Cassell are defensive liabilyties.

by cocofan on Jan 28, 2008 11:48 AM EST reply actions

I would hope that the rotation be affected by playing Tony Allen less. Just use him as a stopper. He’s been awful this season.

Or, and maybe I like this better, take 5-10 minutes of Ray Allen’s burn. I HATE the Doc uses him to run the second unit. It’s often Tony Allen, Ray Allen, and Eddie House in at the same time, and none of them is a play maker. No good outside shots develop because the drive and kick game is gone. Plus, it forces Ray to play 38-40 minutes, and he really shouldn’t be doing that.

So let the vet PG run the second unit, Eddie at the 2, and put Tony Allen in more of a stopper role and sometimes play him at the 3 if the matchup works.

Oh, and I love what I’m hearing from Ainge. Astute I tell you, astute!

by cmoney on Jan 28, 2008 12:50 PM EST reply actions

I think everybody would prefer Sam Cassell – how could you not? The tough part is exactly what the article states – Damon is guaranteed to be available within the next two days. Sam Cassell may never become available. While I’d rather have Sam Cassell on this team than Damon Stoudamire, I’d rather have Damon Stoudamire than have no veteran backup at all.

That’s also not to say that Danny won’t pull a fast one and bring in a Tyronn Lue or Keyon Dooling around the trading deadline – somehow. But it’s unlikely.

It’ll be interesting to see how this plays out. I won’t be mad if we don’t pick up Stoudamire as long as the problem is addressed by playoff time.

by CelticBalla32 on Jan 28, 2008 1:32 PM EST reply actions

I wonder how much the C’s care about keeping Stoudamire away from a team like Toronto, who play us well and seem like they might be his 2nd choice.

by MattD on Jan 28, 2008 3:35 PM EST reply actions

Hi – my first post but longtime C’s fan
We should sign Damon for sure because:

It’s Vet minimum – we can waive him or trade him if Sam is available
LAC will only trade Sam not waive/buyout so even IF he wants to come over it won’t be his choice
As MattD points out we need to keep him away from Toronto and Cleveland
Cheers

by noblejoker on Jan 28, 2008 10:23 PM EST reply actions

I prefer Cassell as well. I would be happy with Stoudamire, but Cassell is definitely the better player right now and he can provide more veteran leadership.

by str8hoops on Jan 29, 2008 8:27 AM EST reply actions