<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">"They're going to be at the bottom again," said Cassell, predicting in a telephone interview Wednesday that the lowly Clippers -- who haven't reached the playoffs since 1997 or won a postseason game since 1994 -- will pass the Wolves in the Western Conference standings. "If they think Marko Jaric is a replacement for me, they're out of their minds," Cassell said of the Wolves management. "I'm happy for him. I'm happy he got paid. But that's not an upgrade. As players, we know." Actually, Cassell didn't sound entirely pleased that Jaric, in the sign-and-trade transaction, landed a six-year, $37.9 million deal. Last fall, Cassell pressed the Wolves for a contract extension, seeking an added two years worth about $14.5 million. </div> Source <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">"Sam Cassell, traded by the Timberwolves to the Clippers for Marko Jaric, has refused to take a physical with his new team and is demanding an extension on his contract, which has one year to go. Cassell is asking for a two-year deal. The Wolves hope this doesn't kill the deal."</div> Source
Well not shocking, that is Sammy's emotions talking right there. You take a guy that has had a winning standard for most of his career( meaning going to the playoffs 9 of the 12 years he has been in this league, having a sigifigant role on a two time championship time...being a key component in two other teams making the conference finals) and put him on the Clippers at the end of his career, its disrespectful. And Mchale pretty much tries to play it off as just business because Jaric is an upgrade( I dare he ask 99% of the players and coaches in this league, if thats true), then Sammy is just about business as well. And the business of the NBA is about making money, so give him his cut, period!!
Well considering his age, he can't be serious if he expects a contract extension. They've said the new CBA doesn't allow players to break deals, so he's going to have to go contract extension or no contract extension. ...and yes, it is a business, while Jaric is not as good a player, he is a better defender, and I don't see how it's disrespctful, the Clippers are trying to improve their team, and so are the Twolves. So what should the Twolves have done, not gone after Jaric because Sam would have to go to the Clippers?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting og15:</div><div class="quote_post">Well considering his age, he can't be serious if he expects a contract extension. They've said the new CBA doesn't allow players to break deals, so he's going to have to go contract extension or no contract extension. ...and yes, it is a business, while Jaric is not as good a player, he is a better defender, and I don't see how it's disrespctful, the Clippers are trying to improve their team, and so are the Twolves. So what should the Twolves have done, not gone after Jaric because Sam would have to go to the Clippers?</div> Why cant he be serious, he isnt asking for 6 years, he stated last year he wanted two year deal....so the Clippers can give him a 1 year garuntee with a team option on the 2nd year(that would benefit both the Clippers and Cassell, if you ask me). Lets just say Cassell is the starter this year in 05-06 splitting time with Livingston, then in 06-07(when Livingston is truely ready to run a quality ball club), you can make the smoother transition with Livingston as the main guy and Cassell simply as insurance. And you dont have to bring him back in 07-08, if you dont want too. And its disrespectful.....because when is the last time you seen Cassell play for a below .500 team in 96-97, when he played for Dallas and New Jersey. That is 9 years ago....when Cassell was still a backup. Ever since becoming a starter Sammy has been acustom to winning (meaning .500 or better) so where do you send him at the end of his career, to the Clippers. Honestly, Iam not trying to play the Clippers, because I will be watching them regularly this year with Sam in Hollywood, but lets be real, they havent sniffed .500 since Danny Manning and Ron Harper was in town. Nobody would want to play for the Clippers at the end of their career and Mchale knows that. And that is part of the reason, he sent Sam there....its punishment in a way, for killing the chemistry on the championship caliber team he felt built last year. And for Sam being part of the reason he had to let go a decent coach, and some say Mchale's friend Flip Suanders. Its business...but that doesnt mean it aint disrespectful. Now, with that being said Iam routing for Sammy (of course) to be a major part in the Clippers finally getting over .500 again. And maybe even sneaking into the playoffs.
I'm pretty sure Elgin was only getting him because his contract is expiring. Again, it's comparable to the Kerry Kittles acquisition, it's not as much to do with the player as it is to do with the contract they have. Now if Cassell plays good, and shows he can help in 06-07, they'll look to maybe bring him back, but not for how much he was asking in Minnesotta. The Clippers aren't likely going to make a commitment, even if it's only 1-2 years to a player when they don't have to. Cassell won't get what he was asking in Minnesotta, so unless he decides to take a lot less, he's likely not going to get an extension. If Minnesotta wasn't giving him one, you can't expect the Clips who aren't really known for spending money all over the place to give it to him.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting og15:</div><div class="quote_post">I'm pretty sure Elgin was only getting him because his contract is expiring. Again, it's comparable to the Kerry Kittles acquisition, it's not as much to do with the player as it is to do with the contract they have. Now if Cassell plays good, and shows he can help in 06-07, they'll look to maybe bring him back, but not for how much he was asking in Minnesotta. The Clippers aren't likely going to make a commitment, even if it's only 1-2 years to a player when they don't have to. Cassell won't get what he was asking in Minnesotta, so unless he decides to take a lot less, he's likely not going to get an extension. If Minnesotta wasn't giving him one, you can't expect the Clips who aren't really known for spending money all over the place to give it to him.</div> Iam not saying the Clippers are going to give him his money or even have too for that matter. Iam simply saying that Cassell still has the right to ask for what he still feels he is worth, now if the Clippers feel he is worth alot less then his asking price then that is on them. But Cassell, still feels like he is worth 5 mill a year....and compared to what alot of guys are getting now adays...Why shouldnt he????? Everybody keeps bring up the age....which is understandable. But the man still averged 14 & 5 last year, solid #'s...is that worth 5 mill maybe not to sum....but you count in the fact he was averaging above 16ppg before he got hurt. And moved to a backup role........and ended up playing like 25-27 minutes per....give Cassell 30 minutes a night between the point guard and also playing a little off the ball, and you will see he can still give you 16 a game easy. And you guys keep bringing up KK, I understand your point about it being more about contracts ending then the player....but in a sense the cases are totally different Kittles came to the Clippers coming off a surgrey that offseason...so the Clippers couldnt have expected much when acquiring, especially since his game has declined a bit every year since 2000, when he missed the entire season because of his back. Last year, was the 1st sign of any declining in Cassell's game and up until then, Cassell's game has gotten better and more crafty as he has gotten older. He has had a full offseason to recover from hip surgery, which he didnt have last year...and is the reason why he was vuranble to injury. You are not getting the Cassell that played with the Timberwolves last year in my opinion, you are getting a much healthier one. And it has never been about whether Cassell can still play or not, it has been health.
I love Sammy!! I just think at this point in his career he should stop complainin so much. He came off a injury prone season last year and the Clippers have the right to be cautious about his health. Plus I don't know if the Clippers are goin to be too bad next year, Mobley is clutch, Cassell is Mr. Clutch, and Maggette is a rising star. Not to mention Elton Brand, so I think the Clippers have a chance at doing some damage.
I can't see what leverage Cassell has in demanding a contract extension. He hasn't even put on a Clippers uniform and is already demanding a contract extension? If Cassell really is angry over being traded to a losing team, then why would he want an extension so he could stay with the team for longer? I don't think Cassell really cares much about winning if he's willing to play for any team as long as he gets long-term commitment. I also find the Jaric/Cassell trade pretty fair for both teams. Jaric is full of potential while Cassell is down and out and nothing but a distraction to any team he is on once money surfaces as an issue. We see these seemingly lopsided deals very often in NBA circles. Trading Dale Davis, an All-Star, for Jermaine O'Neal, an unknown scrub at the time looked like a bad deal, but look where the Pacers and JO are now. If trading Cassell to the Clippers is viewed as an act of revenge in his eyes, then I can only think that he brought it on himself by letting personal matters affect the team's fortunes.
I can understand Cassell feeling slighted by the TWolves, because they were willing to pay Jaric $40M for 6 years. It's insulting to Sam, because he wanted similar money, but for only 2 years. However, there are better approaches to take, because he's coming off as a bitter old man with the way he's complaining to the media. I'm not sure who his agent is, but he should be yelling at his agent for not taking care of him and getting an extension. After all, that is the primary job of a sports agent. Now Sammy is just giving the Clippers an excuse not to work with him on an extension. I also think Cassell is underestimating the Clippers potential for this upcoming season. With or without him, they have a great shot at making the postseason. They might have even made it last year, if they had not suffered so many injuries to key players. Sammy just needs to do what he does best and play ball, lead the Clippers into the post-season, and then cash in with them or someone else looking for a capable leader at PG.
i feel that the only reason they aguired cassel is becasue his contract is expiring. i tihnk it will be stupid for the clippers to give him the extension cause he will just interfere with livingston's growth
Cassell unfortunately isn't taking advantage of the situation, IMO. He could have a really good year with the Clippers (barring any bad injuries), then be a free agent next summer and ask for money then. If the Clips make the playoffs with Cass leading the way, that'd only boost his value, wouldn't it?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Trip:</div><div class="quote_post">I can't see what leverage Cassell has in demanding a contract extension. He hasn't even put on a Clippers uniform and is already demanding a contract extension? If Cassell really is angry over being traded to a losing team, then why would he want an extension so he could stay with the team for longer? I don't think Cassell really cares much about winning if he's willing to play for any team as long as he gets long-term commitment. I also find the Jaric/Cassell trade pretty fair for both teams. Jaric is full of potential while Cassell is down and out and nothing but a distraction to any team he is on once money surfaces as an issue. We see these seemingly lopsided deals very often in NBA circles. Trading Dale Davis, an All-Star, for Jermaine O'Neal, an unknown scrub at the time looked like a bad deal, but look where the Pacers and JO are now. If trading Cassell to the Clippers is viewed as an act of revenge in his eyes, then I can only think that he brought it on himself by letting personal matters affect the team's fortunes.</div> ahh...he is asking for his money now, because he doesnt know what his role with the Clippers will be next year....if the Clippers plan on only playing him 20 mpg then his stock is going to drop even low because his production will continue to decline. In his mind right now, due to the perception around the league....the Clippers arent about winning which means that they will rather develope Livingston then play Cassell legit minutes....so his stock will drop if he is only used as a insurance policy. Trying to get his money before his stock reaches its lowest point.
