The only way I see a Sam Cassell buyout (by the Clips)

[Jammer]

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.

[Fencer reregistered]

It's time for a little tampering, to entice Cassell to take a buyout.

The NBA is lax about that, and rightly so. For one thing, it would be a favor to the Clippers.

As for the Clips -- Tank City. Shipping out a decent player is constructive.

[theman]

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.

3. Plan D - even more illegal, but quite viable. The Celtics send Leon Powe and 3millon dollars to LAC in exchange for Josh Powell or Dan Dickau or Paul Davis. LA then uses that $3 mill. to buy out Cassell. Of course, Stern then takes away 3 draft picks from the Celtics and we know how valuable those are in Danny's hands.

[cfan79]

3. Plan D - even more illegal, but quite viable. The Celtics send Leon Powe and 3millon dollars to LAC in exchange for Josh Powell or Dan Dickau or Paul Davis. LA then uses that $3 mill. to buy out Cassell. Of course, Stern then takes away 3 draft picks from the Celtics and we know how valuable those are in Danny's hands.

I see nothing illegal that Stern can pin on us. But just to be safe maybe we should just wait until he's a free agent.

[NetsForce]

There's no way E.T. is bought out... At worst the Clippers could get garbage and a draft pick back for him.

[The Rondo Show]

There's no way E.T. is bought out... At worst the Clippers could get garbage and a draft pick back for him.

Could they get an expiring and a 1st rounder for half a season of him when he'd probably "just" be a very good backup for all the contenders? Maybe, but if not...it really makes no sense for them to take back garbage for a 2nd round pick or a crappy prospect in return. 2nd round picks (and even the Suns 1st rounders) are bought for a lot cheaper than what some of the contracts coming back (adding up to $6M) would cost.

And if he's not dealt by the deadline, I'd imagine they would buy him out so he could play for a contender. I agree it's unlikely, as someone will probably cough up a very late 1st, but I wouldn't say "no way" he's bought out. Despite being incredibly rich, owners do not like having to take on $3M-$6M of bad contracts unless they are getting a legit asset in return.

[cfan79]

We should not give the Clips anything. There's a slew of point guards who will be free agents this summer.

early terminations and unrestricted

Gilbert Arenas(eto), Baron Davis(eto), Stephon Marbury(eto), Beno Udrih, Carlos Arroyo, Darrell Armstrong, Smush Parker, Jason Williams, Sam Cassell, Steve Francis, Chris Duhon, Anthony Johnson, Tyronn Lue

(eto) = early termination

[The Rondo Show]

We should not give the Clips anything. There's a slew of point guards who will be free agents this summer.

early terminations and unrestricted

Gilbert Arenas(eto), Baron Davis(eto), Stephon Marbury(eto), Beno Udrih, Carlos Arroyo, Darrell Armstrong, Smush Parker, Jason Williams, Sam Cassell, Steve Francis, Chris Duhon, Anthony Johnson, Tyronn Lue

(eto) = early termination

I think it's pretty obvious that the people who want Cassell are looking towards this year and not next year, the year after that or 5 years from now.

I'd feel a lot better about of championship chances with a clutch guy who can create for himself and others like Cassell can. Forget creating for others; we don't even have a point guard not named Rondo who can handle a press without turning the ball over time after time.

[BillessuR6]

It is not looking good. Cassell is playing great at the moment and that is exactly what we don`t need since he is raising his trade value. The best thing for us would be if he gets injured. Nothing serious just something that would make him miss this upcoming month until the trading deadline.

I am also hoping Stoudamire won`t get bought out just yet. It would be great for us if that was to happen after the deadline, because we would know Sam`s situation by then but I gues that is not realistic.

[Jammer]

Fencerregistered and theman's post have given me another idea to snag Sammy Cassell.

Plan D: In short, collusion.

Clips buy out Sam Cassell. Why? Pay Attention.

Come July 1, assuming Elton Brand opts in, and Corey Maggette opts out, the Clips will have 7 players under contract, and be under the cap. If the Clips don't extend a $5.8 million qualifying offer to Shaun Livingston, they will be even further under the cap, and have only 6 players under contract. The Cap holds of their returning players will likely not be an issue since they can renounce the ones that they don't want to bring back.

Now, since the Clips will be well under the cap, they can try to attract free agents. But, Donald Sterling likes $ too.

The Celts send Brian Scalabrine (reduces Celts lux tax hit of summer free agents) +
2008 2nd Round Pick +
$3 million cash

for rights to one of the Clips unsigned scrubs, who the Celtics will renounce.

The Clips get USC local boy Brian Scalabrine,
$3 million big ones,
a #60 pick to spend on some 19 year old in Slovokia, the Ukraine, Brazil or Argentina (ever wonder why Don Nelson used all those #55-60 picks in Dallas on foreigners, what else is there that deep in the draft except a future Ginoboli or Oberto),

all for buying out Sammy.

Since the Clips will only have 7 players under contract for next season (6 if they don't make a qualifying offer to Shaun Livingston); then they will have plenty of room for someone like Scalabrine, who can play multiple positions for them, and is a good guy, and a local USC product.

Plus they got some cash and a pick to lock up someone's NBA rights.

[Celts17Pride]

Cassell will not get bought out and the Clippers are not taking a package of Scalabrine plus others for him.

Just because you want it to happen doesn't mean it will.


Cassell has an expiring contract that will be valuable at the trade deadline. I expect the Clippers to get some real assets for him (i.e. no Scalabrine).

[risktaker91]

Cassell would be great on the Celtics.

[Jammer]

Cassell will not get bought out and the Clippers are not taking a package of Scalabrine plus others for him.

Just because you want it to happen doesn't mean it will.


Cassell has an expiring contract that will be valuable at the trade deadline. I expect the Clippers to get some real assets for him (i.e. no Scalabrine).

Lighten up.

We're talking only ways it could happen, not that it will.

The four scenarios involve either:

Plan A - Sam accepting a buyout for less than his full contract,
(offer Sam an assistant coaching job next season, which was his preference before this season started)

Plan B - Sam accepting a buyout for less than his full contract because he wants to play for the Celts and knows he'll get a contract offer for next season (and maybe become an assistant the following year)

Plan C - Clips buyout Sam for near full contract remaining but Celts send Pruitt, Powe or Davis to Clips at seasons's end for payment of say, $1000

Plan D - Clips buy out Sam for near full contract remaining,
but Celts send Scal + $3 million + 2008 second round pick to Clips in July
in exchange for rights to scrub player who Celts waive.

Sam's full buyout will be around $3.5 million at the trade deadline.

Depending on how much Sam will back off that, will to some extent influence how the Clips might view any of the above options.

If I were you, I wouldn't presume anything.

[sully00]

Jammer can you please elaborate on why the C's wouldn't give up Scal and Tony Allen for Sam Cassell, you have posted this several times and yet to explain why you think Boston won't do that. Now I don't know that the Clippers would do it but I think Boston certainly would.

Because of the financial implications of Scal's contract I could see Boston giving up a 1st round pick and 3 mil in cash to make that happen. Essentially Scal will cost the C's between 6.5 and 7 mil over the next couple of seasons in salary and tax. The reality is with Sam Cassel in Boston for the next two seasons Tony Allen will simply depended on as a defender off the bench, a role we can fill for the minimum.

My guess is that Leon's sudden leap from the bench has to do with his value in trade as much as helping this team. Whether or not Leon is enough to get the Clippers to take Scal's contract I don't know but they are thin upfront so it may make some sense to them.

[sully00]

As far as a Cassell buyout, it isn't going to happen teams have expiring deals that they can swap for Sam they have no reason to cut him he has value. What Boston needs is for the Clippers to decide they need some veteran pieces to not only help them win games now but next season and not guys that are 3 or 4 years away that they will draft at the end of the 1st round.

[Jammer]

sully:

Thanks for your response, interest & questions.

Now, my reply.

1. Why I don't think that the Celtics would trade Scalabrine + Tony Allen for Cassell.

Well, you are correct in saying that trading Scalabrine saves money. But in a trade, Cassell makes $1.32 million more than Scal + Tony, so this year, it costs the Celtics $2.64 million more with lux tax thru June.

I do think the Celts will look to trade Scal before next season, because they will save $6.6 million in salary for next year and the year after, and $6.6 million in lux tax. So, trading Scal before next season will be a savings of $13.2 million, which the Celts may then spend (and then some) on free agents this summer with the MLE, plus re-signing Tony Allen, House & Pollard.

I don't think that the Celts would trade Tony Allen because Tony Allen is the only stopper that the Celtics have at the PG spot when Rondo is out or the SG spot behind Ray Allen. Posey can, in certain circumstances be used at SG, but I like Posey's current use, which is 10 mpg at SF (whenever Pierce is out), and 12 mpg at PF. I don't really see Posey as a SG except in limited matchups.

The Celts seem to be using a big rotation of:

PF: Garnett 24 / Posey 12 / Davis or Powe 12

C: Perkins 25 / Garnett 12 / Pollard 8 / 3 Other

Doc has said that he has been resting Pollard's ankle (recently said that), so obviously Pollard is still in the rotation, whereas Scalabrine is for all intents and purposes out of it.

But, again, I think Tony remains as a stopper at guard, particularly when paired with Eddie House. If you haven't noticed when House is paired with Tony Allen, Tony Allen defends the 2 guard, and House the 1, even though they often reverse roles on offense with Tony leading the play.

I do think that the Celts will try to send Scal to a team like the Clips, but after July 1, the Clips will only have 6 or 7 players under contract, be under the cap, and be able to accept someone like Scal without having to send back equal salary. The Clips, in July, could simply do a deal like Scal+ $3 million cash + 2008 2nd round pick for Rights to Player Clips don't intend to re-sign, who the Celtics waive. I could see something like that.

I do agree that the Clips will not likely buy out Cassell since they seem to desperately need him. However, if the Clips did cut Cassell loose, at some sort of backoff from his $3.5 million that will be owed at the deadline, the Celts, if they didn't send Scal in the summer with the $3 million, could send Pruitt + Scal + $3 million cash in the summer when the Clips are under the cap.

So, I think the Celts keep Tony Allen, and re-sign him. I don't see any shooting guard (unrestricted) that the Celts can set their sights on with what they will have to spend this summer.

I think that the likely free agents that the Celts will target are:

PG

Arroyo - probably wants at least $4 million, maybe $5 million.

Udrich - probably wants money since only making $800k in his 4th season.

Duhon - has same agent as Rajon Rondo. Might not want to accept "insurance role" behind Rondo & Eddie House.

Tyronn Lue - might wind here by default, since would probably take like $2.2 million and accept "insurance" role behind Rondo & House. Has same agent as KG.

Centers:

Brian Skinner - almost certain to resign with Phoenix

Kurt Thomas - who knows what he'll do. He will be 36 in October, might prefer team that gives him contract for more years than Celts would offer.

Jake Voskuhl - would probably accept "insurance" role behind Perk & Pollard, but will probably want close to the $ 3 million that Milwaukee is paying him, which is 3x what the Celts pay Pollard (Pollard gets $1.2 mil, $430K of which the League pays).

Don't see any wings, especially SG's, as unrestricted free agents, that might interest the Celtics, except for maybe Keyon Dooling, if you consider him an SG.

Here is the link:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/stor ... FreeAgents

The Clips will have so few players under contract after July 1 (under cap), that they actually might welcome local USC grad

Scal + $3 million + 2008 2nd Round Pick for Rights to Player the Clips would normally renounce, who the Celtics would waive upon receipt.

-- Jammer