The Boston Celtics already have one assistant set to leave the team to take a head coaching job elsewhere. The Los Angeles Lakers are a possibility to make it two.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Lakers have requested and received permission to interview multiple assistant coaches across the NBA. Among that group is Celtics assistant Sam Cassell.
The news comes one week after the Charlotte Hornets announced that they will hire Celtics assistant Charles Lee as their new head coach. Lee will remain with the Celtics until the conclusion of their current playoff run.
Like Lee, Cassell arrived in Boston this past offseason as part of a major overhaul of the coaching staff.
The 54-year-old Cassell played 15 seasons in the NBA, finishing his career with the Celtics’ 2008 championship team. After retiring as a player, Cassell quickly made a name for himself as a coach. Cassell spent time with the Wizards, Clippers and 76ers before joining Joe Mazzulla’s staff this season.
Following the Celtics’ Game 5 win over the Cavaliers Wednesday night, Mazzulla issued some high praise for Cassell as a coach.
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“He’s been at every seat on the bench. He knows how to communicate with every single player, because he’s been where that particular player has been,” Mazzulla said. “… He’s a good coach — great coach. Happy to have him.”
Following the Game 5 win, Boston now advances to the Eastern Conference Finals, where the team will take on the winner of the Knicks-Pacers series.
