Celtics Trade Rumors

"Avery Johnson's name has been added to the Knicks' ever-growing list of coaching candidates. A source close to Donnie Walsh said the Knicks' president is targeting several head coaches and assistant coaches of playoff teams to interview but that he will not make contact with any of them until their respective seasons end. Johnson, though, became available yesterday, when he was fired less than 24 hours after the Dallas Mavericks were eliminated by New Orleans in five games. "

"If Donnie Walsh wants to interview Boston Celtics associate head coach Tom Thibodeau for the Knicks' coaching position, he might have to wait until after the NBA Finals."

"Sources said the Bulls called veteran NBA player Mark Jackson, who is the front-runner to land the Knicks job. That Paxson contacted somebody with no prior coaching experience speaks to how open-minded Paxson is—and how open-ended the search could be. Paxson also has assistants on playoff teams like the Celtics' Tom Thibodeau and the Pistons' Michael Curry on his list, which could lengthen the process."

"If Walsh waits long enough, the field of qualified candidates could grow in the coming weeks as teams are eliminated from the playoffs. Dallas Coach Avery Johnson could be in jeopardy if the Mavericks lose their first-round series to the New Orleans Hornets. The same goes for Flip Saunders in Detroit and Sam Mitchell in Toronto... Walsh could reach out to three other assistant coaches who interviewed in Indiana last year: Brian Shaw of the Los Angeles Lakers, Chuck Person of the Sacramento Kings and Johnny Davis, a former Pacers assistant now with the Memphis Grizzlies."

"If the opportunity arises, Celtics coach Doc Rivers likely would make it possible for two of his assistants to interview for head coaching jobs during the playoffs. Rivers said yesterday that NBA teams have inquired about his associate head coach, Tom Thibodeau, and assistant coach Armond Hill for head coaching openings."

"Cassell reiterated he wants to re-sign with the Celtics during the offseason. Boston is projected to have $74.5 million in salary on next season's team."

"Doc Rivers, one of the front-runners for the NBA’s Coach of the Year award and coach of the greatest wins turnaround in league history, has also done a good job of raising the Celtics’ concern about his future in Boston. Two league sources confirmed yesterday that Celtics management recently approached Rivers to begin discussions about extending his contract, which runs through next season. Rivers, however, expressed a desire to put off any talk about a new deal, fearing it would become a distraction in the midst of the Celtics’ playoff run."

"Paxson said in Milwaukee on Monday he would meet with Boylan and his staff Thursday, with even players assuming Boylan won't be retained. If that likely scenario occurs, look for Paxson to move quickly with interviews for potential replacements... Paxson is said to value experience. That might rule out Celtics assistant Tom Thibodeau, too, who might draw interest from the Knicks if Isiah Thomas is relieved of his duties, as expected."

" A source close to the new Knicks boss says that Walsh is certain to make a coaching change and that former Knick Mark Jackson and former Bulls coach Scott Skiles are two candidates to replace Thomas. Knicks assistant Herb Williams and Celtics assistant coach Tom Thibodeau also could be under consideration. Jackson's name also has been linked to the GM job. Former 76ers GM Billy King is another candidate and there is an outside chance that Walsh could make Jackson the coach while also bringing Chris Mullin back to New York."

"Boylan dealt with a question about whether he would be interested in the now-vacant Marquette job with humor, claiming a news conference already was scheduled. More seriously, the Celtics' Tom Thibodeau is one of this season's hot assistants and is expected to draw interviews for coaching vacancies at season's end. It's unknown if the Bulls have interest, and Celtics assistants aren't allowed to talk to the media."

"It may have been a microcosm of his season. Allen has struggled on the way back from major surgery on his left knee, falling into uncertainty at times as to its strength. Now he is dealing with the knee and a bruised back and, of some significance, the fact he will be a restricted free agent when this season ends."

"Sam Cassell's contract expires at the end of this season. We might not be seeing the last of him, however. He could be back in Boston next season - holding a clipboard alongside Doc Rivers."

"Sam Cassell is a Celtic. Almost. While the team would say officially only that it’s “fully anticipated he will become a Celtic” when he arrives in town today, sources confirmed the obvious."

"Sam Cassell was in his hometown of Baltimore yesterday, preparing to travel to Boston once he clears waivers tonight at 6. Soon thereafter, the point guard is expected to join former teammates Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen as the final piece of general manager Danny Ainge's extreme makeover of the Celtics. Cassell's agent, David Falk, said yesterday he expects no last-minute surprises or new entries into the Sam Sweepstakes, such as, perhaps, Dallas owner Mark Cuban."

"Back when Sam Cassell was just a gleam in the Celtics’ eye, people around the club were talking about what it would be like to have him as a late-game alternative to Rajon Rondo in certain situations. It was also mentioned that the two could find themselves on the floor together if Cassell could ever be acquired."

"Don't be surprised if Carmelo Anthony tries to call his fellow Baltimore native, Sam Cassell, about coming to the Nuggets. Or if Steve Nash gets in touch with ex-teammate Cassell about coming to the Suns. Or if Jason Kidd tries to persuade ex-Maverick Cassell to join him in Dallas. But even though Cassell is fair game until he clears waivers, as expected, Monday at 6 p.m., his agent expects his client to end up in a Celtics uniform."

"Sam Cassell should be here for dinner on Monday, and so the great Celtics renaissance continues. Once, they all ran from Boston. Now, they cannot wait to visit."

"The first step toward veteran point guard Sam Cassell becoming a Celtic took place yesterday. Cassell signed buyout papers with the Clippers and won't clear waivers until Monday at 6 p.m., assuming he clears. The 38-year-old is expected to sign with the Celtics over the Nuggets and Mavericks. "

"The Los Angeles Clippers, as expected, waived guard Sam Cassell yesterday. But the Celtics, who want to sign the veteran point guard as a backup to Rajon Rondo, will have to wait until the end of the business day Monday, when Cassell is expected to clear waivers."

"One of the few charismatic eras of the Clippers franchise came to an anticlimactic end Wednesday, with the team buying out the contract of veteran point guard Sam Cassell. After ending a stalemate that had been lingering for days, Cassell can now join the Boston Celtics, his preferred destination, once he clears waivers after a 48-hour period."

"Sam Cassell's stint with the Clippers ended Thursday when the veteran reached a buyout with the team and then was waived. Cassell is expected to join the Boston Celtics after he passes through waivers on Saturday. He was in the final year of a two-year contract, making $6.1 million this season."

"Point guard Sam Cassell's contract was bought out by the Los Angeles Clippers in time for him to be eligible to sign with another team and be included on the playoff roster. It appears Cassell is headed to Boston, but that doesn't mean the Mavericks aren't holding out hope. "

"Sam Cassell remains in limbo from possibly getting a buyout from the Clippers. If he does get the buyout, the Boston Celtics could be Cassell's destination."

"With Brown, the Celtics will have 14 players on their roster, with one spot available. They are hoping to fill the opening with a point guard. Candidates include free agents Brent Barry and Flip Murray, and the Clippers' Sam Cassell, if he is bought out of his contract before Saturday's deadline to become eligible to play in the postseason for another team."

"An NBA source said yesterday that Clippers owner Donald Sterling does not seem interested in buying out the final year of guard Sam Cassell's contract. Cassell's agent, David Falk, has given the Clippers a deadline of Saturday to complete the buyout so the 6-foot-3-inch, two-time NBA champion would be eligible for another team's postseason roster... The NBA source said the Celtics and possibly the Nuggets, both over the salary cap, would be interested in Cassell if he is bought out prior to Saturday's deadline."

"As of late Monday, all signs pointed to the addition being veteran point guard Sam Cassell, who was working on a buyout of his contract with the Clippers and was prepared to sign with the Celtics."

"The C’s were still waiting to see if the Clippers would buy out point guard Sam Cassell’s contract. Cassell, who must be waived before 9 p.m. Friday in order to be eligible for the playoffs, told the Orange County Register that his agent, David Falk, has been in talks with Clippers president Andy Roeser."

"Rivers can't talk about it, but the Celtics are a favorite destination for Cassell if his contract is bought out by March 1. This possibility of the Clippers and Cassell parting ways has been lingering over the team the last few days."

"Cassell continues to nurse a sore wrist. He still doesn't know whether the Clippers will agree to a buyout of his contract. Cassell must be waived by 8:59 p.m. Friday to have 48 hours to clear waivers and be signed by another team to be eligible for the playoffs."

"A little more than an hour before tipoff last night, Danny Ainge hadn’t heard from Brent Barry, and the Celtics director of basketball operations wasn’t taking that as good news... Meanwhile, Sam Cassell remains a possibility."

"That is why this week stands as one of the more memorable ones in Cassell's 15-year career. He soon will know whether he will be going to the postseason with any of three teams - the Celtics among them - or whether he will close down his third year in Los Angeles April 16."

"Sam Cassell could soon be wearing the green and white of the Boston Celtics. Or the purple and orange of the Phoenix Suns. Even the yellow and blue of the Denver Nuggets."

"Boston looks like the likely destination for Cassell if the Clippers agree to buy out his contract. According to NBA rules, Cassell will have to be off the Clippers and clear waivers by 9p.m."

"If the Boston Celtics falter in the playoffs -- don't reach the NBA Finals -- and young point guard Rajon Rondo gets the blame, don't be surprised to see Tyronn Lue wearing a Celtics uniform next season. Lue, a veteran point guard, becomes a free agent this summer, and he is close to Celtics Coach Doc Rivers."

"By this time next week, we should have a pretty good idea if there are going to be any more add-ons to the Celtics roster. A number of players on executive director of basketball operations Danny Ainge's to-do list will become available, most notably Brent Barry tomorrow. Also possibilities: Sam Cassell (provided the Clippers buy him out and waive him by midnight Friday) and Chris Andersen (who would fit the need for an athletic big man, but who still is awaiting league and union approval on his reinstatement filings.)"

"Director of basketball operations Danny Ainge isn’t the only Celtic trying to recruit the recently waived Brent Barry. The guard’s former Seattle teammate Allen has been trying to make a connection, too."

"The Celtics have let their interest in Brent Barry be known, but there is concern around the club that the soon-to-be free agent guard will choose to play for a contender closer to home in the West. According to league sources, the Celts are now a step behind Phoenix, San Antonio, Dallas and Houston in the race for his services, but that could change."

"The Celtics and several other teams are in the Brent Barry sweepstakes... The Celtics have also been rumored to have interest in veteran Clippers guard Sam Cassell. The 38-year-old has said his agent, David Falk, has contacted the Clippers about a potential buyout and that he would be interested in the Celtics."

"NBA sources said last night that the Celtics are poised to make a move on Brent Barry if and when he clears waivers."

"The Celtics reportedly still have interest in Clippers point guard Sam Cassell, but unless that club buys him out, the chances of him getting to the C’s are probably minimal."

"Meanwhile, the Nets will continue to wheel until Thursday's 3 p.m. deadline. Sources throughout the league say Kiki Vandeweghe is generating a heated rush of discussions involving Jermaine O'Neal, Jamaal Tinsley, Mike Miller and Nene... With Kidd apparently spoken for, the player drawing the most attention from promising title contenders is Philly's Andre Miller. Nuggets, Cavaliers and Rockets are sincere suitors - Celtics feel they're first in line for Sam Cassell - but not serious enough to offer more than expiring contracts and a first-round pick in the 20s."

"Yet Lue might not be long for Sacramento, as he has been pursued by Phoenix and Boston and could be used in any subsequent deals before Thursday's trade deadline. On that front, sources close to Denver said talks between the Kings and Nuggets about Ron Artest have recently restarted."

"“I’m happy with my roster, but I’m still looking for something that might help us,” Ainge said. “I don’t really have any specific things I’m hunting for. “I like our team, so in order for me to do anything it has to be something good. I never say never, but I like our team.”"

"It's uncertain whether the 38-year-old Cassell will finish out the season in Los Angeles, with his name being circulated in rumors before the trade deadline next week. One of the hottest rumors has him going to the Boston Celtics to back up young point guard Rajon Rondo, a move that would reunite Cassell with his former Timberwolves teammate, Kevin Garnett."

"Although Sam Cassell acknowledges he's unhappy the Los Angeles Clippers are losing, the veteran point guard made it clear yesterday he's not lobbying to play elsewhere. The Boston Globe reported Wednesday that Cassell was trying to buy out his contract so he could play for the Celtics. Cassell, averaging 13.1 points and a team-leading 4.5 assists in 34 games, is earning $6.1 million this season - the final year of his contract. "There's no truth to it," Cassell said by telephone from Toronto, where the Clippers play tonight. "

"Clippers point guard Sam Cassell is literally willing to pay the price to become a member of the Celtics. Cassell told The Boston Globe this morning that his agent, David Falk, has had conversations with the Clippers about a potential buyout and he is interested in joining the Celtics if such happens."

"Sam Cassell isn’t sealed off in a rumor-proof chamber. “I’ve heard what you guys have heard,” the Clippers guard said of reports that he could soon join the Celtics, either by trade or buyout. “It would be cool to get back with Kevin Garnett and help this organization get back to the glory years. But as of today, I’m a Clipper.”"

"The New York Daily News had a dicey item about Garnett and Sam Cassell dining last night in Boston, with Garnett trying to persuade Cassell to come to the Celtics. That would have been hard unless Garnett has a body double or it was a late, late meal in Chinatown (and Chinese wouldn't be KG's first choice) because Garnett was with the Celtics last night."

"Sam I Am has been mentioned as a candidate to land in Boston, where the Celtics now try to do what the Patriots could not. For all their wins so far, the Celtics don't have a first-rate point who knows how to win in the playoffs."

"As far as Rivers is concerned, Sam Cassell doesn't exist. When asked what he thought of the Clippers point guard (who will be in town tomorrow night), Rivers replied, 'He's been hurt, right? Livingston.' The response was clever, considering the rumor mill has been cranking out scenarios, including the Clippers buying out Cassell and the 14-year veteran possibly landing in Boston."