<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor said point guard Sam Cassell will play for Minnesota next season. Earlier this month, Taylor called the acquisitions of Cassell and guard Latrell Sprewell two years ago a "failed experiment." Taylor had said the team would be open to trading Cassell, who is signed through next season for about $6 million. But the owner reversed direction Wednesday. "Sam is coming back," Taylor said. "I've had a talk with Sam. He will be on the team next year. We've already talked about what we want him to do this summer. He didn't ask to be traded, and we think that the most important thing is that he's healthy next year." Cassell, plagued by hamstring injuries, averaged 13.5 points and 5.1 assists in 59 games this season. But Taylor wouldn't rule out trading Cassell, or almost any other Timberwolf, for the right deal.</div> Source
Well, I know alot of T-wolves fans wont be excited to hear this news after everything that went on Minny. But as a Sam Cassell fan for 12+ years(including his days at Flordia state) Iam overjopyed with the news. I am tired of seeing Sam move around. And I think Minny is the place for him to be, I wished that when he got traded from New Jersey to the Bucks during the lockout year in the three-way deal with Stephon & Terrell, that he would have landed in Minny back then, so he had a chance to link up with KG in Sammy's primer years. But anyway I still think that Sam can help this team become successful again next year, no matter what role the team sees fit for him as a bench player or starter. Sam knows that he is a major part of what went wrong in Minny this year not only with his attuide to start the season but also his health. And I think he is going to actually get back into condition this offseason. And next year will be a season of redemption for my boy Sam.
I think a lot of other teams are a bit disappointed since it's not going to be as easy to trade for him. A lot of teams need a good point guard, including the Timberwolves, and Cassell has enough of a track record to have been coveted by several teams looking for relatively inexpensive help (with an expiring contract to boot).
I kind of expected this. I think it was a good decision. But if Sam isn't traded, Troy needs to go. We need one of them gone next season. If Sam can stay healthy next season, he can play a major role in the team, similar to what he did last year.
I read a blurb in the Strib last week that there is a rumor floating that the Timberwolves may trade Cassell for Jason Williams (White Chocolate). I know McHale has been intrested in Williams talent for years since he was a rookie, but I am dead set against this trade proposal. Jason Williams stinks. He does not play defense and he has regressed as a point guard. He is not that great anymore and he is a cancer to the coaches that he played for. Williams has lack of accountability. No thanks. Let's not trade Cassell for the sake of trading him because of what Taylor said about how he and Spree were failed experiments. If Cassell has to sulk, let him sulk in his final year here. Let's not get garbage like Jason Williams in return for him. I think Cassell is going to be motivated to play for his contract this coming season so I doubt he will tank it at all. He is going to want a job in the NBA after next year so I rather keep him and go with it.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Henacy:</div><div class="quote_post"> I wished that when he got traded from New Jersey to the Bucks during the lockout year in the three-way deal with Stephon & Terrell, that he would have landed in Minny back then, so he had a chance to link up with KG in Sammy's primer years.</div> That point you made is just another example of McHale's mismanagement moves over the years. Terrell Brandon has been a stiff for years. He is always hurt and he does not have that desire to succeed. George Karl couldn't wait to get him out of Milwaukee. Karl was constantly trashing Terrell's game. Why didn't McHale understood that?
Sammy wont sulk if he returns next year, all signs say he rather stay then be traded. And I think that he knows Minny wont be giving him a contract exstension this offseason after the way him & Sprewell acted this season. So he knows that inorder for him to get an exstension now, he will have to earn it with his play next season.
