Cassell Says He Will Sign Contract With Celtics Next Week

[CelticBalla32]

Baltimore native and three-time NBA champion Sam Cassell said today he plans to become an assistant coach with the Boston Celtics after playing one more season.

Cassell, a 38-year-old guard who was part of the Celtics' title run this year, told a reporter about his plans shortly before speaking at a City Hall news conference. "This is my last year playing with the Celtics," he said. "Next week, I'll sign the contract."

After finishing the 2008-09 season, he plans to exercise an option to join the coaching staff. "I am playing this year," he said. "After that, I have the option to do coaching for them."

Source: Baltimore Sun

My reaction is similar to one of Scooby Doo's: "errrf?"

[Roy Hobbs]

Well, that doesn't  speak well for Miles' future here, since we're capped at a 15 man roster.  Cassell would make 16, with only one of those so far being non-guaranteed (Miles).

I guess what I don't understand is, if they planned on signing Cassell, why bring in Miles at all?   If he  works  out, what do they do?  Is there a potential trade in the works?   Are they going to dump Pruitt?  I don't get it.

[Who]

Huh? Why? What about Pruitt?

Confusing news

[Chris]

Well, that doesn't  speak well for Miles' future here, since we're capped at a 15 man roster.  Cassell would make 16, with only one of those so far being non-guaranteed (Miles).

I guess what I don't understand is, if they planned on signing Cassell, why bring in Miles at all?   If he  works  out, what do they do?  Is there a potential trade in the works?   Are they going to dump Pruitt?  I don't get it.

If this is actually happening, then I think there have to be some other plans in place.  Whether it is a trade, or perhaps they are not as confident in Pruitt as they have been saying.  This move just doesn't make a ton of sense to me by itself, so I am assuming another shoe will be dropping at some point.

[moskqq]

Good call Roy...Is it Miles or Pruitt, could be either without much surprise.  Since Cassell plays PG/SG one might assume that Pruitt's days are numbered... but wait...He has another year left on his contract whereas Darius does not have a  guaranteed contract.

and yet...Miles has a proven, although "spotty", NBA track record whereas Gabe has yet to prove that he belongs.

...and we thought that nothing could shock the tranquility of the "dog days of summer"...  Not in a hundred years could we foresee a Cassell return....

[Onslaught]

NOOOOOOOOO!!

[2008CELTICS17]

This is very odd. Only a trade makes any kind of sense at this point. A 2 for 1, or 3 for 1. Cassell will back up Eddie House for jobs this year.

[Raygus]

i looked at the subject line quickly and my immediate reaction was "oh god, the patriots are down another quarterback? i didn't even know matt played basketball!"

then i remembered where i was, took a few deep breathes, and just sat around confused for a few seconds. i don't really get it, do they think that if he plays the whole season he might actually be able to fit into / run the offense?

[NicaraguanFan]

Well, that doesn't  speak well for Miles' future here, since we're capped at a 15 man roster.  Cassell would make 16, with only one of those so far being non-guaranteed (Miles).

I guess what I don't understand is, if they planned on signing Cassell, why bring in Miles at all?   If he  works  out, what do they do?  Is there a potential trade in the works?   Are they going to dump Pruitt?  I don't get it.

Well, I wonder if one rookie goes to NBDL, does that make a spot for Cassell or Miles?

[lon3lytoaster]

Well, that doesn't  speak well for Miles' future here, since we're capped at a 15 man roster.  Cassell would make 16, with only one of those so far being non-guaranteed (Miles).

I guess what I don't understand is, if they planned on signing Cassell, why bring in Miles at all?   If he  works  out, what do they do?  Is there a potential trade in the works?   Are they going to dump Pruitt?  I don't get it.

Well, I wonder if one rookie goes to NBDL, does that make a spot for Cassell or Miles?

Nope, that player if it's Walker or Giddens still stays on the Celtic's roster while they're playing for out DLeague team.

[MaineBleedsGreen]

Well, that doesn't  speak well for Miles' future here, since we're capped at a 15 man roster.  Cassell would make 16, with only one of those so far being non-guaranteed (Miles).

I guess what I don't understand is, if they planned on signing Cassell, why bring in Miles at all?   If he  works  out, what do they do?  Is there a potential trade in the works?   Are they going to dump Pruitt?  I don't get it.

Well, I wonder if one rookie goes to NBDL, does that make a spot for Cassell or Miles?

I think a player in the NBDL counts on a team's total players.

If the Cassell signing is true I wouldn't be surprised to see a trade in the works.

[guava_wrench]

I'm not worried about this at all. If the team is willing to spend more money, I don't have a problem.

If Pruitt isn't ready and they dump him, what's the big deal? He's a second round pick. That happens. If he contributes, even better. If there is a trade to shorten roster and condense talent, even better.

I'll believe it when it happens though. My question is why next week? Why not right now? I imagine that either negotiations are still going on, or the signing is tentative assuming another move.

I'll wait for the start of camp before I evaluate our roster.

[orrzor]

Waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Perhaps Cassell and Semil Erdel for Matt Bonner?

[blazingarrow]

This says a lot about their confidence in Pruitt. 

I didn't get to see the kid play too much, but at this point I have a lot of confidence in this organization's ability to gauge it's young talent.

Free agent signings, not so confident.

[CelticBalla32]

This says a lot about their confidence in Pruitt. 

I didn't get to see the kid play too much, but at this point I have a lot of confidence in this organization's ability to gauge it's young talent.

Free agent signings, not so confident.

I don't think it says anything about their confidence level in Pruitt. Danny appears to be high on his potential, but he also understands that the goal is "win now" for the time being.