Sam Cassell will join the Philadelphia 76ers’ coaching staff, alongside new head coach Doc Rivers, per The Athletic’s Derek Bodner. The former NBA player spent the last six seasons with the Clippers, as one of Rivers’ premiere assistants.
Cassell began his coaching career as an assistant with the Washington Wizards in 2009. He was under the tutelage of the late Flip Saunders. His tenure in Los Angeles started in 2014, and following the slew of vacant head coaching positions, he was poised to get a look.
Unfortunately, teams didn’t feel as if the 50-year-old was a good fit. The Clippers struck a deal with Tyronn Lue. Lue was an assistant alongside Cassell in Los Angeles. The Sixers ultimately sided with experience and inked a deal with Doc Rivers. Other notable teams, such as the Pacers and Pelicans, also elected to pass on him. However, Cassell’s basketball acumen did not go unnoticed. According to Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia was going to sign him so long as he remained available.
What He’ll Bring to Philadelphia
Cassell will attempt to help the Sixers bring the championship back to the city of brotherly love. He donned eight-different jersey’s in his career and was an All-NBA selection in 2004. His 15-year NBA career playing the guard position will prove noteworthy in shaping the young team. Once one-half of a tandem with Kevin Garnett, it will behoove him to mentor Embiid and Simmons. Since the emergence of the young, dynamic duo, the Sixers are yet to have a Conference Finals appearance.
Accompanying Cassell on Rivers’ assistant coach staff is former Kings and Grizzlies head coach Dave Joerger. Also, a former assistant in Indiana Dan Burke and Clippers video coordinator Dominguez will be joining the bench.
Philadelphia also recently agreed to make former Rockets general manager Daryl Morey their new president of basketball operations.
