Cassell Coming Back?

by Jeff Clark on Sep 11, 2008 7:22 AM EDT in Boston Celtics Rumors

The Baltimore Sun has this quote from Sam Cassell:

Baltimore native and three-time NBA champion Sam Cassell said today he plans to become an assistant coach with the Boston Celtics after playing one more season.

Cassell, a 38-year-old guard who was part of the Celtics' title run this year, told a reporter about his plans shortly before speaking at a City Hall news conference. "This is my last year playing with the Celtics," he said. "Next week, I'll sign the contract."

After finishing the 2008-09 season, he plans to exercise an option to join the coaching staff. "I am playing this year," he said. "After that, I have the option to do coaching for them."

Celtics spokesman Brian Olive declined to comment.

Dissecting this quickly: Does that mean that Sam Cassell has a contract offer to play for the Celtics for one more year? He states "This is my last year playing with the Celtics" so it sounds that way. But with Sam you never know if he's just talking.

Furthermore, it sounds like Sam will sign a contract that has an option to become part of the coaching staff after this year. I've got no issues with that myself. The coaches don't count against the cap and he seems like a likable enough guy who apparently gets along with the players and knows the game.

There were times last year when Sam was on fire. Then there were times when our gameplan went up in smoke because of him. Hopefully if he is on the team this year, he'll think like a coach and understand that sometimes the team will need him and sometimes the team will need to develop Gabe Pruitt and the other guards more.

Regardless, if Sam is signed, we'll have a lot more stuff to talk about with the roster headed into training camp. Do the math, we have a full roster now. Adding Sam means someone will get cut or traded in a roster dump move. Unless something bigger happens, but I think Danny is somewhat limited in what he can do.

So what do you think? Is bringing Sam back the right move? What do we do with the roster?

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Comments

brian scalabrine can now become an assistant ball boy…

by Andy Jick on Sep 11, 2008 7:25 AM EDT reply actions

honestly, I wonder if we should just bite the bullet and cut Scal

I hate to lose him as a trade chip (expiring contract when all the rest of our deals are up) but I don’t think 3M is going to swing a deal one way or the other anyway

by Jeff Clark on Sep 11, 2008 7:33 AM EDT reply actions

Perfect backup to Rondo.

by Mon on Sep 11, 2008 7:44 AM EDT reply actions

I’m pro-Sam I Am. Hopefully this year he’ll be better integrated into the schemes.

The solution to the roster issue is a trade. Baby and Powe are rather duplicative, as (I think) are Giddens/Walker/TA. I wouldn’t be surprised if some sort of 2-for-1 happened, with us getting back a big.

by Eeyore III on Sep 11, 2008 7:49 AM EDT reply actions

we have 15 players signed so if cassell were to sign with us that means someone gets cut or is traded for a pick or maybe a 2 for 1? I just don’t see it. Maybe it’s a make good contract like Miles?

by Red2 on Sep 11, 2008 8:02 AM EDT reply actions

Is this any commentary on Pruitt’s progress? Has Pruitt been working out in Waltham?

by clover on Sep 11, 2008 8:03 AM EDT reply actions

Well that was his best position last year so it’s cool. Stay very close to the bench Sammy.

by Birdbrain on Sep 11, 2008 8:27 AM EDT reply actions

Ugh Scali is more valuable then the washed up mess.

by Birdbrain on Sep 11, 2008 8:28 AM EDT reply actions

This is the right move. To fill up a slot, make a M for N trade, where M > N.

by BrickJames on Sep 11, 2008 8:33 AM EDT reply actions

I bet this Sam just talking, something he is vey good at.

I love how people are so anxious to trade away Powe, Baby, TAllen, Giddens, Walker, Scal, Pruitt, but without any suggestion as to who to bring back.

by Surferdad on Sep 11, 2008 9:12 AM EDT reply actions

Anyone know the date for finalized rosters?

by al05main on Sep 11, 2008 9:48 AM EDT reply actions

why not! i don’t think scal will go. sign the ass’t coaches pronto.

by nazzbo on Sep 11, 2008 10:13 AM EDT reply actions

As it stands we have a roster of 15 Players and bringing in Sam means that Scal may have to go. Nothing against Scal, but he was not on the active roster for the playoffs and he didn’t give the team any production. He’s a nice guy, but I’m sure Danny looks back on this and realizes he was a bad signing.

Maybe Danny has a trade in the works, who knows.

But, bringing back Sam for 1 more year is not a big deal. He actually may benefit from having him for training camp and a full season.

Or maybe Darius Miles doesn’t work out and he is cut during training camp.

Either way were talking about someone who will be 10-15 on the roster.

by Ancient Red on Sep 11, 2008 10:19 AM EDT reply actions

And yet we couldn’t bite the bullet on one more year for Posey?

by The Real Large James on Sep 11, 2008 10:36 AM EDT reply actions

Don’t see how Posey has anything to do with Sam. One was a long term deal where the hangup was in the last year. The other is a min. contract for one year.

by Jeff Clark on Sep 11, 2008 10:55 AM EDT reply actions

I know I am reading between the lines some and not fully understanding all of the rules but if we sign Sam as a coach, he can practice with the team as need and be ready to sign say a 10 day contract at any time should there be a need due to injury or performance. That way we could have Pruitt in the NBDL and Cassell on the bench with a clipboard, either more or less ready to fill in as needed. As a straight roster spot though, I would rather pass on Sam.

by Vermont Green on Sep 11, 2008 11:20 AM EDT reply actions

My point is, given if what Mr. Motor Mouth has said is true, that the Cs gave a semi-long term commitment to Cassell in a very creative way. I’m still puzzled as to why the C’s could not have done the same for Posey. I realize what Posey was asking was for another year that would have locked up the Cs at a point when they needed flexibility, but wouldn’t Posey have been at least tradeable in his last yeat with an expiring. That guy put fourth an exemplary effort last year.

by The Real Large James on Sep 11, 2008 11:20 AM EDT reply actions

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

Please say this isn’t true. I had 3 big wishes for this offseason:

1- Sign Posey
2- Sign House
3- Send Sam I Was packing

If this is accurate I am going to lose another 1/3rd of my hair this coming year… Please Danny. Come out and say this is just Sam talking. Asst Coach I am moderately okay with. Player?! Please no!!!

by EJPLAYA on Sep 11, 2008 11:28 AM EDT reply actions