Celtics

Cassell, who added another championship to his resume, has well over a decade of assistant coaching experience.

Sam Cassell added another championship to his resume a couple weeks ago.

He won three as a player, two with the Rockets and one with the Celtics. Earlier this month, he helped the Celtics claim the 2024 NBA championship as an assistant coach on Joe Mazzulla’s staff.

Cassell, 54, has aspirations of becoming an NBA head coach. He’s been an assistant coach since 2009, and has spent time with the Wizards, Clippers, and 76ers in addition to his recent stint in Boston.

The Lakers reportedly asked for permission to interview Cassell for their head coaching vacantly, but ultimately hired J.J. Redick.

Now, the Detroit Pistons have an opening after firing Monty Williams. During a recent interview with Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson on”Scoop B Radio”, TNT analyst Kenny Smith made the case for why Detroit should consider hiring Cassell.

“You’re talking about leadership, qualifications, and resume. He has all three. Why wouldn’t you hire a guy like that if you’re looking for a head coach,” Smith said. “He has championship pedigree on multiple levels. There’s nothing else you could do in basketball that Sam Cassell hasn’t done.”

Smith, who won a pair of titles with Cassell in Houston, said Cassell knows how to connect with young players.

“If you want a young team to develop players, develop skills, Sam Cassell is your guy. It’s impossible to look over him at this point after winning an NBA championship. It’s like ‘oh, he was in Houston, they won. Oh, he was there and they won.’ It’s not an accident, being a champ.”

The Celtics are reportedly very keen to promote Sam Cassell to a bigger assistant role on the bench, according to NBA insider Marc Stein. The Hornets hired former Celtics assistant Charles Lee as head coach this offseason.