The only way I see a Sam Cassell buyout (by the Clips)
Posted: Sat Jan 19, 2008 9:53 pm
I'm posting this as a separate thread because it's a very focused topic.
The Celts will not trade for Sam Cassell, age 38, since it would cost Tony Allen + Scalabrine.
The only way to get Cassell is a buyout.
Clips owner Donald Sterling would rather get an asset for Cassell's expiring contract, or just let it expire.
So, the way to Sterling's heart is for Sam to step up and take a reduction in his $6.15 million season salary.
The playoff money that Sam will make is not that much relative to his salary (although to someone like Leon Powe playoff money is a bonanza).
1. Sam wants to be a coach. He wants someone to train him as an assistant.
Like Babe Ruth, Sam earlier in the year said that he'd like to hang it up next year, IF an NBA head coach will take him under his wing.
When there were no takers to Sam's public announcement, Sam changed his tune and said that he could play one more season. Yeah. On Viagra.
So, Doc and Danny. You want Sam to leave money on the table in LA.
Tell Sam I Am that he can be an assistant to Doc next season (or the year after if Sam plays one more year).
That's telling Sam what he wants to hear.
If you two can live with that.
2. Plan B - If Sam leaves money on the table, you can tell Sam that you'll give him a contract for next year. Sam would probably leave money on the table.
3. Plan C - illegal, but quite viable. If the Clips will buy Sam out (NBA players get 16 paychecks, twice monthly, from November thru June) of his final 9 paychecks, the Celts could agree to send either Leon Powe, Gabe Pruitt or Glen Davis at the end of the season to the Clips for a second round pick or minor cash payment. Instead of taking a player who is a crapshoot, the Clips get someone who is proven.
The Celts have 13 players right now, before renting Sam until June 25. Adding in the Celts 2008 first and second round picks, that would put the Celtics at the roster limit of 15 (if they re-sign Tony Allen, Eddie House, Scot Pollard and James Posey opts to stay); before signing any free agents, which they might look to add 1 or 2.
So sending 1 player (or a pick, like their second rounder) to the Clips might be eminently doable, for minimal cost to the Clips, to offset buying out Cassell. They could send Davis, Pruitt or Powe for $10,000 cash (after the Clips renounce some players they should be under the cap), or send their 2008 second round pick for like $1000.
The Celts will not trade for Sam Cassell, age 38, since it would cost Tony Allen + Scalabrine.
The only way to get Cassell is a buyout.
Clips owner Donald Sterling would rather get an asset for Cassell's expiring contract, or just let it expire.
So, the way to Sterling's heart is for Sam to step up and take a reduction in his $6.15 million season salary.
The playoff money that Sam will make is not that much relative to his salary (although to someone like Leon Powe playoff money is a bonanza).
1. Sam wants to be a coach. He wants someone to train him as an assistant.
Like Babe Ruth, Sam earlier in the year said that he'd like to hang it up next year, IF an NBA head coach will take him under his wing.
When there were no takers to Sam's public announcement, Sam changed his tune and said that he could play one more season. Yeah. On Viagra.
So, Doc and Danny. You want Sam to leave money on the table in LA.
Tell Sam I Am that he can be an assistant to Doc next season (or the year after if Sam plays one more year).
That's telling Sam what he wants to hear.
If you two can live with that.
2. Plan B - If Sam leaves money on the table, you can tell Sam that you'll give him a contract for next year. Sam would probably leave money on the table.
3. Plan C - illegal, but quite viable. If the Clips will buy Sam out (NBA players get 16 paychecks, twice monthly, from November thru June) of his final 9 paychecks, the Celts could agree to send either Leon Powe, Gabe Pruitt or Glen Davis at the end of the season to the Clips for a second round pick or minor cash payment. Instead of taking a player who is a crapshoot, the Clips get someone who is proven.
The Celts have 13 players right now, before renting Sam until June 25. Adding in the Celts 2008 first and second round picks, that would put the Celtics at the roster limit of 15 (if they re-sign Tony Allen, Eddie House, Scot Pollard and James Posey opts to stay); before signing any free agents, which they might look to add 1 or 2.
So sending 1 player (or a pick, like their second rounder) to the Clips might be eminently doable, for minimal cost to the Clips, to offset buying out Cassell. They could send Davis, Pruitt or Powe for $10,000 cash (after the Clips renounce some players they should be under the cap), or send their 2008 second round pick for like $1000.