A Hunch About Cassell and the Cs

[elrod enchilada]

My guess is that the plan for Cassell is to cut him and have him remain on the team as an assistant coach. Then in an emergency, he can be brought back during the season and he will be practicing with the team every day. Cassell gets a guaranteed contract so he will go along with the proposition. Cassell gets a jump on his coaching career this way too.

And if during traoning camp Cassell simply looks like he can force his way past House and Pruitt and into the rotation, then Danny relaeases someone else or he makes a deal to unload somone else. And the Cs are that much stronger this season.

But my hunch is that Cassell joins the ranks of Cs assistant coaches in three weeks.

[Dogen]

Sounds like a plan to me, elrod. This way we also get to our 15 player roster and have some flexibility during the season of making some simple moves, ie, bringing Sam in, or maybe PJ back, depending how guys like Pruitt and Miles play.

[canman1971]

I don't see that as an option only for this reason. If in an emergency, we needed him, they would still have to cut another player. So, not only are you down an injured player, you lose another one as well to make room for Cassell. I think there will be a small trade or they just try to buy out Scal or cut him. This of course is only if they feel Miles is going to contribute and is healthy. If they don't think he is or he gets hurt, it is simple; he is gone.

[Gant]

This makes a lot of sense Elrod.

I think Danny and Doc like being one over the roster limit because it keeps the pressure on to work hard.

[hiphop1]

I love it.

[GreenGrizz]

I think it is against the rules. You can't switch a player into an assistant coach during the same season. I thought I read an article somewhere.

[elrod enchilada]

If the Cs realese Cassell and put him on waivers and he goes unclaimed, I am pretty certain he is entitled to retire and accept a position as an assistant coach. The Cs cannot switch him without releasing him and putting him on waivers.

Yes, if the Cs wanted to bring him back during the seaosn they would have to trade or waive someone. Same as if they want him on the roster at the beginning of the season.

[ParticleMan]

That's been my hope all along. We'll see.

[LenBiasBaller]

I thought Cassel or Miles would be the most likely candidates. But after hearing about how good miles has been and DA and doc praising him I feel he is def. on the roster...Pruitt has been ballin too so I don't think its him either...Only logical choice to me would be Sam...if they can build up someones value like big baby during the season and then trade him that would be a good move...instead of trading one of the young'ns that doesnt have much value around the league at this point...

[Gant]

I strongly believe the Celtics are NOT looking to move Big Baby.

Perkins has a questionable shoulder.
O'Bryant is unproven.
Scalabrine can only fill in at the 4.
Posey's power forward minutes will increase the need for big men.

Baby was inconsistent last year but that's to be expected of a second rounder. (In fact "inconsistent" is beyond expectations of someone drafted that late.)

Ainge said yesterday that Davis was among five young players who have greatly improved since last season (Rondo, Perkins, Powe, and Tony Allen are the others).

If they get a great deal for Big Baby or anyone else I'm sure they'd trade him, but they're looking to develop him. Baby will be consistently needed this year, as will Leon Powe.

What they don't need is four point guards. Logically if Miles can take it physically, Pruitt or Cassell won't make the roster. Yeah Doc did say they could go with 4 points, but I think he's just keeping the pressure on Miles with that statement.

[cloverleaf]

I missed that, Gant, where did you see Ainge say that about the 5 young players? Seems like bad news for Pruitt not to be in that list, but also suggests to me they want to keep him for another year--because Danny wasn't bothering to talk him up.

Also, if Sam were to 'temporarily retire, that'd obviously mean Pruitt should get more of a chance this season.

[Gant]

I missed that, Gant, where did you see Ainge say that about the 5 young players? Seems like bad news for Pruitt not to be in that list, but also suggests to me they want to keep him for another year--because Danny wasn't bothering to talk him up.

Also, if Sam were to 'temporarily retire, that'd obviously mean Pruitt should get more of a chance this season.

Ainge said it when interviewed by Maxwell and other guy on the NBA TV broadcast.

[cloverleaf]

Thanks, Gant.

[Hemingway]

I just don't see this happening. We are going to want Sam on the team. Last year they told him to creat some offense so he didn't play a real team game. This year will be different, Danny and Doc watched the playoffs too. Look for the Celtics to hold off as long as possible on this to see if Miles or anyone else gets hurt. Look for them to shop BBD and also Tony Allen. If Everyone is healthy and there are no good trades then Gabe gets cut. We can always get a better PG with the MLE or probably even the LLE or Vet Min next season to replace Sam.

[LenBiasBaller]

I don't see why we would want to shop TA...he is a bargain right now and he will def. do his thing this year....as for shopping BBD I can see that only problem is that he essentially has no value amongst GM's bc he really hasnt done anything....As for Pruitt I just dont think we will let him go...I think something with Sam will happen...Coaching or something....Sam is old as dirt I think he should just come on as a coach and then ride with the 15 we have...

At the PG I think we are good without Sam. Only benefit to having Sam to me is in the Locker Room...so why not bring him on as an assistant and you get that...worse comes to work bring the old fart back at the end of the year...We have three PG's (Rondo, House, Pruitt) and then TA if need be...

[LenBiasBaller]

You want to Buy Low (POB, DMiles) and sell High...not selling BBD low. The more I think about it the more logical it seems that Sam will come on as a coach or be dropped.

Don't forget at the trade deadline you can pick up some pretty nice pieces...We just need to ride out with this 15 and fill in the holes later, build up player value and then trade...

[celticfan42487]

The two players I have yet to hear any good things about are Pruitt and Giddens. Although it doesn't make much sense right now for either of them to leave. Giddens is that last first rounder guaranteed money contract and Cassell isn't likely to be here next year so Pruitt is a good emergency 3rd stringer in case for House and to bring the ball up against pressure...

If Tony Allen miracously becomes smooth enough to fill in as the 3rd stringer and the Celtics feel extremely good about 2 of Miles,Walker,Giddens then it would make sense for Pruitt to be let go, assuming not hearing anything good about him means he's been doing poorly.

Honestly there doesn't seem to be a good cut right now, all the fringe players are about the same level and all bring something or in the case of Scal would be too costly to cut. I think the Celts are still holding their breath where Miles is concerned and he is still a longshot to make it. It wasn't too long ago that a doctor said his career is over and he could be like H20 just trying to revive it if he can.

[sully00]

I understand people were frustrated that Sam wasn't circa 1999 when he came here last year but you are talking about a player who put up a 17 PER in his 3/4's of season in LAC. Sam can still play and has options, if the C's cut him he has a job in the minute he clears waivers. Boston asked for him to come back he didn't ask back he had the same offer the C's gave him from DEN. Either way I would take Doc at his word on this all 4 point guards make the team because it doesn't really make sense to do anything else. House really isn't a point, they have to give Pruitt a chance to earn some mins before cutting him, and they are naked at the position without Sam.

I actually think the most logical cuts are the same two guys who are just as likely to get packaged in a deal and that is Scal and Giddens. Combined they would return about 5.3 mil in salary. I never have bought in to Giddens being a fit for this team, I thought he was selected for somebody else from the jump. One team that is thin at SG and has a tux at a frat party is OKC, maybe Giddens is enough for them to eat Scal in exchange for Joe Smith who deserves a better fate.

[Jammer]

... OKC, maybe Giddens is enough for them to eat Scal in exchange for Joe Smith who deserves a better fate.

FIrst, defensively Sam's done. Pruitt is much better defensively, but whether Pruitt can run a team NOW is the issue.

Now, OKC is, from what I can see and have previously said, the only logical place to send Brian Scalabrine.

Brian Scalabrine works for OKC because he plays good D, executes plays properly, and spaces the floor with his 3 point shooting ability for someone like Russell Westbrook to drive.

Joe Smith is the target in various 2 or 3 for 1 possibilities, which all work under the CBA:

Brian Scalabrine + Gabe Pruitt (I think not enough, since Smith is expiring and Scal and Pruitt increase the 2010 season guaranteed contracts from 10 to 12.

Brian Scalabrine + Gabe Pruitt + 2nd Round Pick (probably won't fly because OKC has 2 Firsts (their own and San Antonio's and two second (their own and New Jersey's) round picks in 2009, plus their own and Phoenix FIrst Round Pick in 2010; so another second really doesn't do anything for them, they need players more than picks).

Brian Scalabrine + Gabe Pruitt + Bill Walker (OKC would probably do, but Celts are dependent on Tony Allen and Darius Miles as backup three's)

Brian Scalabrine + JR Giddens (OKC might do, but Celtics are putting everything on Tony Allen to back up Ray).

So, friends, I think the version with either Walker or Giddens would be the one that flies. However, it's more a case of whether Danny wants to make Walker or Giddens available.

On the other hand, I'd be surprised if OKC, since this spring's draft is supposed to be weak,
wouldn't give up their own 2nd round pick (could be # 31) for a player like Pruitt, who would probably not last past # 23 in this coming springs piss-poor draft class.

[Dogen]

I really, really want the team to keep Walker. It looks like the knee is OK so far from camp reports; we'll know more as it progresses.

I like Giddens, too, but after Danny traded for Walker, I thought maybe it was redundant to get two similar players (wings). Then the team resigned TA and he's been playing well.

So, the Scal + Giddens for Joe Smith idea--- yeah, I think I'd do that one, unless PJ is planning to come back.