Celtics Rival Reportedly Looking To Pry Sam Cassell From Boston

The Boston Celtics secured their spot in the NBA Finals, however, the staff behind head coach Joe Mazzulla is anything but secure beyond this season.

Assistant Charles Lee already accepted a head-coaching position with the Charlotte Hornets, ending his time in Boston when the Finals are officially over. Fellow assistant Sam Cassell was linked to the Los Angeles Lakers, who also finished their season with a head coaching vacancy, and it appears another team is eyeing Cassell, too.

The Milwaukee Bucks reportedly have expressed interest in welcoming Cassell aboard, per Gery Woelfel of Lindy’s Pro Basketball magazine. Cassell previously spent five seasons during his playing career (1999-2003) with Milwaukee, and according to Woelfel, the Bucks are willing to make the 54-year-old the highest-paid assistant in the league.

There’s also an extensive history between Cassell and Bucks head coach Doc Rivers, who took over at the helm during the middle of this season. Cassell served on Rivers’ staff over nine seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers and Philadelphia 76ers.

Cassell’s first season as one of Mazzulla’s premier coaching staff members saw the ex-Celtics guard working with everyone in Boston’s locker room. Before games, Cassell works with the team’s reserve unit members and other assistant coaches as well as the occasional 1-on-1 with star Jaylen Brown.

“Sam always wants to play me for whatever reason 1-on-1 before every game,” Brown revealed during Finals practice, per NBA video. “He keeps track — I wonder what his score is. He keeps track of each one. Should be like 70 and 10 or something like that.”

Having already won a championship with the Celtics as a player in 2008, Cassell could add another ring should Boston defeat the Dallas Mavericks — adding a bow to top Cassell’s potential upcoming departure from the Celtics.