When the Toronto Raptors hired Darko Rajakovic, filling the NBA's last head-coaching vacancy, it opened the door for the Celtics to add another of the job's candidates, Charles Lee.
Like Sam Cassell, Boston's newest assistant coach, a move first reported by ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, checks practically every box.
Lee didn't play in the NBA but earned Patriot League Player of the Year while starring at Bucknell and took his talents overseas. And like Cassell, he's been deserving of a head-coaching opportunity for years but has felt the squeeze from the supply of worthy options far exceeding the handful of openings that become available each summer.
ESPN's Kevin Arnovitz shared the following about Lee in a 2020 piece profiling noteworthy head coaching candidates.
"Those who have worked with him say he has an intuitive sense of how to inspire improvement from players but also understands high-level strategy and the preparation required to implement it."
The long-time Mike Budenholzer assistant, who's also worked as an equity trader on Wall Street, nearly got hired as the Detroit Pistons head coach, per The Athletic's James Edwards, sharing that information with HoopsHype's Michael Scotto, before the franchise made a final, successful push for Monty Williams.
Between that not working out and the lack of lead assistant jobs available paved the way for Lee to come to Boston.
Celtics president of basketball operations, Brad Stevens, came across as genuine when stating "small tweaks" are their best path forward at his end-of-season press conference.
Adding Lee and Cassell, plus the hope and internal belief Joe Mazzulla will grow from his first year at the helm, sparks optimism that Boston's coaching staff could become a strength.
The franchise moves forward knowing what identity best suits them. Cassell and Lee can help with that and with maximizing Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown in tandem, provided their partnership continues.
More must-reads: