Sam Cassell. Brian Westerholt-USA TODAY Sports

Bucks looking to pilfer Celtics coaching staff?

By Adam Taylor | Last updated Jun 3, 2024 3:37 PM ET

Charles Lee is already set to leave the Boston Celtics at the end of the season to become the new head coach of the Charlotte Hornets. Yet, it would appear that the Celtics are facing a battle to keep their other lead assistant, Sam Cassell.

The former NBA Champion has already been linked with the vacant Los Angeles Lakers head coaching gig. Now, the Milwaukee Bucks are rumored to be interested in adding him to Doc Rivers staff for next season. Cassell and Rivers previously worked together with the Philadelphia 76ers.

Rumors persist the Bucks want to hire Celtics assistant coach Sam Cassell.
And I’m hearing the Bucks are willing to make him the highest-paid asst. coach in the Association to get it done.
Cassell, 54, played for the Bucks from 1999-2003. He played a major role in the Bucks…
— Gery Woelfel (@GeryWoelfel) June 3, 2024

The Celtics are currently gearing up for an NBA Finals series against the Dallas Mavericks, so any discussions surrounding Cassell's future with the franchise will have to wait. Joe Mazzulla will undoubtedly be keen on retaining Cassell, especially after bringing him to Boston last summer.

Jeff Van Gundy is reportedly a potential replacement for Lee. He was with the Celtics in an advisory role this season. Still, replacing one assistant coach is hard enough. Asking Mazzulla to rebuild his coaching staff for the second summer in a row is a tall order. Especially if that coaching staff helped the franchise win its first championship in 16 years.

Boston appears to be a victim of its own success.

Cassell may choose to hold out for a head coaching opportunity. Nevertheless, the Bucks will likely kick the tires on his interest in jumping ship. It's up to the Celtics to convince Cassell that he's better served staying put.

Adam Taylor

Adam Taylor is a sports journalist based out of the UK. Adam has been covering the NBA for nearly a decade with a core focus on the Boston Celtics. He currently holds bylines with Yardbarker, SB Nation and USA Today

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