After an extremely underwhelming and forgetful 2020-21 Celtics season, the green is in the driver’s seat for some serious changes. 

Following their 36-36 season, Boston was knocked out of the playoffs in 5 games by the Brooklyn Nets. It should come as no surprise, as this Nets squad may be one of the most talented NBA teams the league has ever seen, with 3 of the top 15 players on their roster (Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving). Boston was overwhelmingly outmatched on just pure talent alone, with Jaylen Brown sidelined and Kemba Walker going down with nagging knee issues by Game 4.

The following day after their defeat, Danny Ainge, now former President of basketball operations for the Celtics, retired from his position. He had held that position for 18 years, and won 1 title back in 2008. 

“I trust my instincts”, said Ainge in an interview with Toucher and Rich on 98.5 the Sports Hub. “My instincts told me a couple months ago that it was time for me to move on. That’s what is best for us. That’s what’s best for the Celtics.”

With Danny Ainge now out of the picture, Brad Stevens was appointed to Ainge’s former position. According to multiple reports, Stevens felt “worn out” as the Celtics coach and felt it was time to make a change. It leaves us with many questions, with the most obvious one being, who will Stevens hire as the Celtics next head coach?

Names like Chauncey Billups, Sam Cassell, Becky Hammon, Jason Kidd, and many more have been thrown out for possible coaching replacements. In terms of what the Celtics need, a former NBA player with coaching experience should be their main priority. 

In comes Sam Cassell. 

Sam Cassell started his career in 1993 and was an NBA journeyman, spending time with the Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks, Brooklyn (formerly New Jersey) Nets, Phoenix Suns, Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Clippers, Minnesota Timberwolves, and the Boston Celtics. He won 2 titles with the Rockets and 1 with the Celtics before retiring in 2009. After his NBA playing career, he turned to coaching, and joined the Washington Wizards coaching staff just weeks following his retirement. 

Cassell spent 5 years with the Wizards as the assistant coach to Flip Saunders. During that time, John Wall, who was drafted by the Wizards in 2010, credits Sam Cassell to this day for helping him develop into the player he is today. Cassell eventually left Washington, and joined the Los Angeles Clippers in 2014 to coach alongside Doc Rivers. In LA, he spent time coaching various superstars, including players: Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, Kawhi Leonard, and Paul George.

After his tenure with the Clippers, he joined Doc Rivers to be his assistant coach for the Philadelphia 76ers in November 2020, where he stands to this day. 

So why would he be a possible option for Boston? 

Cassell’s experience as a player, coach, motivator, and developer would work wonders for Boston. He appears to be exactly what Boston needs, especially for Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown to reach their top potential. Cassell has played a key role in tapping into Joel Embiid this year, who had an MVP-like season with Philadelphia. In previous years, Embiid was often criticized for his lack of drive. Once Cassell and Rivers had shown up on the scene, Embiid really showed what he’s capable of playing at a consistent, high level. Cassell has done it with Wall, Blake Griffin, and Joel Embiid, so why not Jayson Tatum/Jaylen Brown as well?

Cassell will be a respected, experienced, and knowledgeable coach for Boston. He won with them back in 2008, so he knows exactly how to provide us fans with the best possible product he can coach. And possibly, just possibly, he can play a role in recruiting Bradley Beal to Boston, whom he coached for 2 seasons, and who has been reported to wanting to play with Jayson Tatum.

Brad Stevens, if you want to start off your career as an executive on a high note, this is the deal you make.