<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Clippers point guard Sam Cassell is literally willing to pay the price to become a member of the Celtics. Cassell told The Boston Globe this morning that his agent, David Falk, has had conversations with the Clippers about a potential buyout and he is interested in joining the Celtics if such happens. The 38-year-old is making $6.15 million this season in the final year of his contract with the Clippers. Celtics general manager Danny Ainge has said he is interested in finding “the right veteran point guard” and is rumored to have interest in Cassell. “I’ve earned enough,” said Cassell, on his willingness to accept a buyout. “I’ve saved a little money. I put money away. I just want to win. Winning is the most important thing to me.” Falk is out of the country and wasn’t available for comment. Cassell said he personally hasn’t had conversations with the Clippers about a buyout and has left that up to his agent. The Celtics do not have the right pieces to make a trade for the 6-foot-3, 185-pounder and would need a buyout to acquire the 15-year-old veteran via free agency. Cassell said a buyout is “the only way I can get (to Boston).” An NBA source said the Clippers do not have any trades or buyout on the table for Cassell. Ainge does not comment on other team’s players. When asked if the Clippers would buy out a player, Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy, Sr., said: “That’s not our stance.” Cassell was averaging 13.2 points, 4.6 assists, 2.9 rebounds and a .255 3-point percentage in 26.2 minutes per game while starting 28 of 33 games for Los Angeles entering tonight. The 2004 NBA All-Star also entered tonight averaging 15.9 points, 6.1 assists and 3.3 rebounds in 971 regular-season games. The Baltimore native has played in 115 playoff games and won two NBA championships with the Rockets. “I think I’d be a nice addition (to Boston),” Cassell said. “It would be fun, but I don’t even know if I’m wanted that far yet. I’m playing for the Clippers now.” Cassell played with Celtics injured forward Kevin Garnett in Minnesota and guard Ray Allen in Milwaukee. He also has worked out in the off-season with Boston forward Paul Pierce in Los Angeles and center Kendrick Perkins in Houston. “Whatever happens, happens,” Cassell said. “But it is a good situation, the Boston situation, with the pieces and (Garnett) gets healthy. I’ve played with him before. I’ve played with Ray Allen before. I don’t think the adjustment would be tough for me. I get with Paul during the summer (in Los Angeles). I get with Perk during the summer. There are a lot of guys on that team that I am familiar with… “I think it’s realistic. It’s matter of just time. I don’t want to say too much. I’m optimistic about the whole situation. That’s why I got David Falk. That’s what he loves to do.” Cassell and Garnett still have a close relationship. When asked if he has talked to Garnett about playing in Boston, Cassell said: “Garnett is a superstitious kind of guy. He doesn’t say too much. He wouldn’t mind it. I know that for a fact.” Celtics second-year point guard Rajon Rondo has been playing well and would still start if a veteran point guard is acquired. The likes of ex-Celtics point guard Gary Payton and ex-NBA point guards Travis Best and Randy Livingston have said they would like to join the Celtics, too. When asked about backing up Rondo, Cassell said: “Whatever. I’ve been told it’s not who starts the game it’s who finishes.” At the end of the Clippers shoot around, Cassell looked in the rafters at TD Banknorth Garden at all the retired Celtics jerseys and pondered what it would be like playing for the storied franchise. “You got to wonder,” Cassell said. “All the tradition is in the rafters. Maybe not in this building, but in the rafters. It’s crazy. You see these guys DJ (Dennis Johnson)… (Cedric) Maxwell, ‘Chief’ (Robert Parish). You got so many numbers (retired) you don’t even have numbers you can wear..”</div> Source That flagrant foul in tonight's game shouldn't have any effect. It better not. Sam basically threw himself at the C's here, and it's all up to Falk to work out a reasonable buyout with the Clips. Get this done, David.
Pretty ironic Cassell fouls out the guy he could end up backing up. I wonder if Cassell was testing Rondo to see what he made of or he was just frustrated by not being able to stay in front of Rondo. Great quote by Sam .. “Whatever. I’ve been told it’s not who starts the game it’s who finishes.” LOL What is Boston allegedly sending out for him?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Shapecity @ Feb 7 2008, 01:12 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Pretty ironic Cassell fouls out the guy he could end up backing up. I wonder if Cassell was testing Rondo to see what he made of or he was just frustrated by not being able to stay in front of Rondo. Great quote by Sam .. “Whatever. I’ve been told it’s not who starts the game it’s who finishes.” LOL What is Boston allegedly sending out for him?</div> No, it had nothing to do with testing Rondo. He definitely was frustrated by the fact that Rondo made him look horrible for an entire half of basketball. And we wouldn't be sending out anything. It would be a buyout, and we would sign him to the veteran's minimum for the rest of the season. His agent, David Falk, is trying to work out a buyout with the Clippers.
Cassell did not play tonight, and Clippers fans on the ESPN forums apparently claimed that David Falk and Donald Sterling were sitting next to each other in the stands. Now, Cassell did legitimately hurt his wrist in Memphis the other night, but it's still something to think about. If this is going to happen, Cassell would have to reach a buyout agreement, clear waivers (48-hour period), and sign with a team by March 1 in order to be playoff eligible. There's probably a better chance of him staying than getting bought out, but I'd be lying if I were to tell you I won't be thinking about this until the March 1 deadline.
crossing my fingers for the remainder of the week would be a great addition with his moxy and willingness to step up in crunch time.
Also, just to clarify, I had the rule a little wrong. He does have to be bought out by March 1, but he doesn't have to sign with another team by then to be playoff eligible.
update on cassell <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Cassell Confirms Buyout Talks The Los Angeles Times - 02/26 - 9:10 AM ESTWith time running out as the league heads into its mandated Saturday deadline, Sam Cassell finally admitted on Monday that he is in negotiations with the Clippers on a buyout, according to the Los Angeles Times. "They've been discussing it, so what more can I say?" Cassell told the Times. "Both parties are getting to a number and saying, 'OK, this is what we'll do it for.' I just want to be treated fairly."</div> Can't believe a tightwad like Sterling would agree to a buyout. I hope I'm wrong...
Apparently, you are wrong. <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>According to a Clippers source, the team will announce today that it is buying out the contract of the 38-year-old guard. NBA sources indicated that the Celtics, Mavericks, and Nuggets all are prepared to make Cassell an offer once he clear waivers in 48 hours. All three teams have their biannual exceptions available to give to Cassell (a maximum of $1.83 million) while the Mavs have their full mid-level available ($5.356 million) and Denver has $2.356 of its mid-level. The Celtics have spent all of their mid-level.</div> Source Wooooooo!
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Celtic Fan @ Feb 26 2008, 01:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>wow sterling must be getting old good news for us, him and KG seem to still be pretty tight.</div> Also, from HoopsWorld's game recap: <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>If Sam Cassell isn't on his way to Boston he sure could of fooled me after the game. Dude almost looked like he was already a member of the Celtics when he came in the locker room. First, he gave Ray Allen a big hug and talked to him for a couple of minutes. Then, searching for his good friend Kevin Garnett, he asked: "Where's Ticket?" A few seconds later he marched directly into the training room and started shooting the breeze with his good friend for awhile. The laughter from the room rang out for a good couple of minutes.</div>
ahh now here's the Donald Sterling I know .... the rat bastard <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Cassell buyout hits snag Globe Staff / February 27, 2008 An NBA source said yesterday that Clippers owner Donald Sterling does not seem interested in buying out the final year of guard Sam Cassell's contract. Cassell's agent, David Falk, has given the Clippers a deadline of Saturday to complete the buyout so the 6-foot-3-inch, two-time NBA champion would be eligible for another team's postseason roster. Cassell is being paid $6.1 million this season, and is believed to be owed about one-third of that total. The NBA source said the Celtics and possibly the Nuggets, both over the salary cap, would be interested in Cassell if he is bought out prior to Saturday's deadline. Both teams could only offer a prorated amount of the veteran's minimum, around $1.2 million. Falk didn't respond to an e-mail yesterday and couldn't be reached by phone. Cassell, 38, is averaging 12.8 points and 4.7 assists this season. He has said he would have no problem backing up starting point guard Rajon Rondo if he came to Boston. Celtics general manager Danny Ainge has said he is interested in finding the "right veteran point guard." Another NBA source said free agent guard Brent Barry, who cleared waivers yesterday, is still considering Boston. Barry also is considering the Spurs, but he can't re-sign with his former team for another three weeks. The Celtics are also believed to be interested in free agent guard Flip Murray, who cleared waivers yesterday.</div> With Sterling being the owner, I'm not surprised at all.
The interesting part of this is that Elton Brand has the same agent as Cassell. If Sterling refuses to accommodate Sam I Am, I wonder if Falk will play hardball with him when it's time to negotiate Brand's contract (this summer if he declines his option, next summer if he accepts it).
Just one day after the Celtics solved their problems up front by signing PJ Brown, Donald Sterling finally came to his senses and bought out Sam Cassell. By no surprise, Marc Spears reports that “Sam I Am” will join the Celtics once he clears waivers (due to the league offices being closed on the weekend, the soonest it can happen is Monday night). <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Los Angeles Clippers point guard Sam Cassell is expected to sign buyout papers with the franchise soon and will sign with the Boston Celtics once he clears waivers, according to an NBA source. Cassell and the Clippers have agreed to buyout terms. He is expected to receive some of the money remaining on his $6.1 million salary this season. Once the 38-year-old's buyout is official, he has to clear waivers (which takes 48 hours) before he can become eligible to sign with another team. The 6-foot-3, 185-pounder is expected to clear waivers by Saturday and would be eligible to play the rest of the season and postseason for the Celtics. Cassell is averaging 12.8 points and 4.7 assists this season. He has said he would have no problem backing up starting point guard Rajon Rondo if he came to Boston. Celtics general manager Danny Ainge has said he is interested in finding the "right veteran point guard." Cassell will not travel with the Clippers to Denver, where they face the Nuggets on Friday night. The Clippers are expected to sign guard Flip Murray, who was let go by the Detroit Pistons, to replace Cassell.</div> For some extra confirmation, Clippers Vice President of Basketball Operations Elgin Baylor chimed in on the situation: <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>“After weighing all of the options and after conversations with Sam we believe this is the best solution for this team,” stated Vice President of Basketball Operations Elgin Baylor. “We know and appreciate the many contributions Sam made during the last three years, and we wish him nothing but the best.”</div> What a week this has been for the Celtics and the fans.
"I think it's a situation where the team [Clippers] gives me an opportunity to chase another dream of mine,” Cassell said to the Los Angeles Times. “I appreciate it. There was frustration from both parties with our team being hurt and it was just an opportunity to move on." Cassell spoke to the media and revealed his desired destination. The 38-year old veteran spoke as if he will be wearing the green and white once he clears the 48-hour waiver wire window. He said he would wear either number 91 or number 28. "I talked to them today and they said they want me," Cassell said.
