Sam Cassell is reportedly going to be bought out by the Clippers shortly. If so, he will replace Brent Barry as the hottest free agent out there (Who thought we’d be saying that ever?). The question is where does he go??
His value is unquestioned. The man is a 15 year veteran in the league, a point guard who knows how to play the game. Cassell has been involved in the turnaround of three franchises. In Milwaukee he played a big role in taking the ‘lowly’ Bucks all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals in 01. (We were *this* close to a Sacramento/Milwaukee Finals that year people..David Stern probably still shakes at the thought of that). In Minnesota, he helped lead that team to a 58-win season and the Western Conference Finals. For the Clippers, he brought them back to the playoffs. If you ignore his cup of coffee in New Jersey, Cassell has found a way to be successful.
At first. And when healthy.
Unforunately Cassell seemingly hasn’t been healthy since 1997. It’s those health issues that more than likely cost Minnesota a trip to the Finals in 03-04. If Cassell doesn’t succumb to those injuries, Derrick Martin doesn’t have to try and lead a team against the Lakers. Those same health issues bit the Clippers in the butt last year. He has a positive impact on teams but the pattern shows that it cannot be sustained:
- 4 years in Milwaukee. After the 2000-01, 52-30, Conference Final season everything went down the drain. The next year the Bucks went 41-41 and missed the playoffs and in Cassell’s final season in Milwaukee they went 42-40 and lost to the Nets in the first round.
- 2 years in Minnesota. Year #1 (2003-04) Cassell plays 81 games, they go 58-24 and go to the Conference Finals. Year #2 (04-05), Cassell plays in 59 games, starts 38 of them and Minnesota goes 44-38 not even making the playoffs.
- 3 years with the Clippers. Year #1 (05-06), Cassell played 78 games, Clippers go 47-35, make the playoffs, become the hottest story in the league and were a Daniel Ewing sub from shocking the Suns. Year #2…58 games, Clips barely miss out on the playoffs by going 40-42. This year he’s played in 38 games and the Clippers are 19-34.
So is Cassell worth the risk? Yes. The teams that are pursuing him (Boston, Phoenix, Denver, Dallas) are a) playoff/championship contenders and b) already very established. Cassell will be joining them for this run and will more than likely be coming off the bench. He won’t be the featured point guard, the piece that this teams are counting on for their future. He’s proven that he can change a team almost immediately. But who should take him?
Boston: Obviously should pursue this the hardest. If they sign Cassell they should make it as a move to bolster their depth, not to replace Rondo. Not that they would be so silly. Having Cassell in the backpocket could do nothing but help the C’s. It would shut the people up who think that Rondo isn’t good enough and scream that they need a PG. But wouldn’t it make the great people of Beantown have flashbacks to that horrible Gary Payton era?
Phoenix: The Suns have needed a backup point guard for Nash since he got there. Cassell could be that guy, effectively telling everyone that the Suns are trying to win a championship right now. It would actually help them in a lot of ways: for one Nash could get more rest (positive) and Cassell wouldn’t have to play that many minutes (positive). Also, Barbosa would no longer have to pretend like he can play the PG and Phoenix won’t experience complete breakdowns when Nash lies on the sideline with his towel in his shirt. If the Suns found a way to snag Cassell they would officially be the Anti-Suns: they’d actually have a legit big man and a legit backup PG. Yikes.
Denver: Anthony Carter is still starting for them. E-Nuff-Said.
Dallas: I just read that they were prepared to make an offer. I don’t know, I mean you have Jason stinkin’ crappin’ Kidd. I’m not sure having two old PG’s is really what you need to put you over the hump. And I’m definitely not sure they should sign one right after the other. I’d be shocked if Cassell was silly enough to jump on this bandwagon.
So look for the NBA’s resident alien (LOWBLOWS RULE!) to land in Boston. He already said he was a perfect match for them and people have been talking about it since November. However, if I were Sam Cassell I would get cosmetic sur….I mean I would hook up with the Suns and see how I run on Diesel Power.
(I’m really going to regret using Cassell’s pic for this one. At least one person is going to click on the Project and nearly vomit or shake their head.)