NBA Rumors: Doc Rivers Eyes Sam Cassell for Bucks Coaching Staff amid Lakers HC Buzz

Joseph Zucker@@JosephZuckerFeatured Columnist IVMay 15, 2024

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Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers “plans to make an aggressive push” to hire Sam Cassell in an assistant coaching role, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.

Cassell, who’s in his first season on the Boston Celtics’ staff, worked under Rivers with the Los Angeles Clippers and Philadelphia 76ers.

Stein reported the retired point guard is also a “legitimate candidate” for the Los Angeles Lakers amid their coaching search.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported the Lakers have received permission to speak with Cassell and multiple other candidates working for other teams.

For Rivers and the Bucks, the threat of Los Angeles hiring Cassell may resolve itself. Stein reported JJ Redick “should be classified as the early favorite if you are determined to pinpoint one” for L.A.

“A belief is already bubbling in coaching circles that the job might well be his to lose in the interview process despite Redick’s lack of prior coaching experience beyond youth basketball,” he added.

Even if the Lakers don’t hire Cassell, poaching him from Boston may not be that easy.

Charles Lee, who was the Celtics’ lead assistant, left to take the Charlotte Hornets job. That would seemingly put Cassell in position to move up Boston’s bench. If that’s the case, going to Milwaukee would be a lateral move.

All things considered, you might want to be on the Celtics right now.

Boston is one win away from the Eastern Conference Finals and will be the favorite whether it matches up with the Indiana Pacers or New York Knicks in the next round. The franchise is also poised to remain a contender for the foreseeable future.

The Bucks are in a trickier position. Sure, they boast two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, but they have an aging roster that didn’t click like many expected this season. Firing Adrian Griffin and hiring Rivers midway through the year changed little as the team had a losing record (17-19) under the latter.

Assuming Cassell’s ultimate goal is to become an NBA head coach, continuing to work under Joe Mazzulla in Boston may be the better path to get there.