Given the exceptional talent within the Celtics’ coaching staff and front office, it was only a matter of time before teams would come calling for their services.
In May, Joe Mazzulla’s lead assistant coach, Charles Lee, accepted the position of head coach for the Charlotte Hornets. Shortly after the Celtics’ victory in the Finals, Jeff Van Gundy joined the Los Angeles Clippers as their lead assistant coach. Now, Sam Cassell, who joined Mazzulla’s staff prior to the 2023-24 season, is garnering interest from the Los Angeles Lakers.
However, according to Mark Stein, the Celtics are determined to retain Cassell.
“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.
With the departure of Lee, Cassell should slide right into the role of lead assistant.
“He’s been in every seat on the bench in the NBA, so he knows how to communicate with every single player,” Mazzulla said on Cassell in May. “The first thing he does when we get on the plane is watch film. Even though he’s a former player, he’s a guy that wants to study the game. [He is] loyal. Communicates well. He’s a good coach. Great coach. Happy to have him.”
Cassell’s NBA resume is impressive. The 54-year-old spent 15 years in the big leagues, winning a championship three times, including in 2008 with the Boston Celtics.
He began his assistant coaching career in 2009 under Flip Saunders with the Washington Wizards. After five seasons in Washington, he reunited with Doc Rivers, his former coach in Boston. He spent six seasons with Rivers in Los Angeles before following him to the Clippers. He won his first championship as an assistant this year with the Celtics.
The former point guard has played a pivotal role in developing several players, including Bradley Beal, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Tyrese Maxey. In Boston, he has worked closely with Jayson Tatum as his position coach.
Tatum praised Cassell earlier this season, highlighting his wealth of experience, knowledge as a former player, and engaging personality.
“It’s been great,” Tatum said. “He’s a very animated guy. A lot of personality, but he is very funny. A lot of great stories, and he knows a lot. He played 14–15 years in this league. Well-respected. And it’s great to have somebody that has been a player, had a lot of success, won championships. Learning a lot, and we love having him around.”
Cassell has expressed his desire to become a head coach in the past, and with his cachet around the league, that opportunity should come in due time. For now, the Celtics would be thrilled to have him back.
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