Key Takeaways:
– NBA coach Doc Rivers reportedly eyeing Sam Cassell for a role in his Milwaukee Bucks’ coaching staff.
– Cassell is a three-time NBA champion and is currently an assistant coach under Joe Mazzulla at Boston.
– Cassell previously worked with Rivers in the Boston Celtics 2008 Championship team and Los Angeles Clippers.
– Other teams are also considering Cassell for head coaching roles, including the Los Angeles Lakers.
Milwaukee Bucks Seeks Experienced Hand to Boost Coaching Team
Milwaukee Bucks coach, Doc Rivers, is reportedly looking to bolster his coaching staff with the addition of NBA veteran Sam Cassell. According to NBA Insider Marc Stein, Rivers is eager to integrate the former Bucks alum to his team provided he doesn’t clinch the Lakers’ head coach position.
Rivers’ Pursuit of Cassell’s Expertise
Having thrived in the NBA both as a player and coaching staff, Cassell has a wealth of experience. He played under Rivers during the Boston Celtics’ Championship run in 2008 and then transitioned to working as an assistant coach alongside Rivers. Their working history extended from the Los Angeles Clippers (2014-2020) to the Philadelphia 76ers (until 2023).
Cassell’s NBA Journey and Successes
Starting his NBA journey in 1993, Cassell bagged two titles with the Houston Rockets in his freshman and sophomore years. Afterward, he played for several teams before landing at the Bucks in 1999. During his four-season stint, the Bucks made their last Eastern Conference Finals run before the boom of the Giannis Antetokounmpo era.
Bucks’ New Coaching Recruit Deemed a ‘Legitimate Candidate’
In addition to industry sources seeing Cassell as a potential head coach candidate, Marc Stein further buttresses his credibility. Stein credits Cassell’s profound influence on star players and his strong representation by Klutch Sports. This agency also represents basketball titans LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Additionally, Stein ventures to compare Cassell to former Bucks assistant Darvin Ham, emphasizing Cassell’s overdue for a head coaching role are just akin to Ham when the Lakers elected him.
Implication for Former Bucks Assistant
The recent promotion of former Bucks and current Celtics assistant Charles Lee as the Charlotte Hornets’ head coach opens the potential for Cassell to fill in the vacated position. However, his precedence for working with Rivers might push him into joining the Bucks’ coaching team, provided he isn’t hired as a head coach in the meantime.
With Cassell performing the duties of an assistant coach since 2009, various teams have put their trust in him, including the Celtics and the Wizards. Notably, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that Cassell’s name is on the Lakers’ list for consideration as their next head coach.
Hence, Cassell’s experience and star appeal position him as a strong candidate for enhancing Rivers’ coaching strategy at Milwaukee Bucks or potentially, a head coach elsewhere.