NBA Rumors: Celtics 'Very Keen' to Keep Sam Cassell Amid Lakers, JJ Redick's Interest
June 22, 2024
The Boston Celtics are reportedly "very keen" to keep assistant coach Sam Cassell on staff amid interest from the Los Angeles Lakers, per NBA insider Marc Stein.
"But Boston is believed to be very keen to fend off Lakers interest in Sam Cassell to elevate Cassell on Joe Mazzulla's staff after the departures of Charles Lee (Charlotte's new head coach) and Jeff Van Gundy (now a Clippers assistant to Tyronn Lue)," Stein wrote.
Stein also noted that Los Angeles is looking to bring two former NBA players onto J.J. Redick's staff, with Rajon Rondo and Scott Brooks being mentioned as "strong candidates" to be assistant coaches.
Cassell, who ended his playing career with the Celtics in 2009, joined the coaching staff ahead of the 2023-24 season after stints with the Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Clippers and Philadelphia 76ers.
After Redick was named head coach of the Lakers on Thursday, Cassell quickly became linked to Los Angeles, as The Athletic's Shams Charania, Sam Amick and Jovan Buha reported Cassell would be a candidate for an assistant job.
Boston is looking to replace assistant coach Charles Lee, who took over as the Charlotte Hornets' head coach following the Celtics' NBA championship run. The team will also need to replace Jeff Van Gundy, who was a senior consultant for the Celtics this season before leaving to take over as a lead assistant for the Los Angeles Clippers.
Cassell had plenty of success in his first season as an assistant coach for the Celtics, which explains the interest he's getting from teams around the league. With the Lakers potentially gunning to bring him onto their staff, Boston could have to make a favorable pitch to keep Cassell around.
