Hooped Up

Sam Cassell said he was extremely serious about perhaps becoming a Maverick after he was bought out by the Los Angeles Clippers. Instead, he’s prospering as a Celtic. “There was a real good chance, a real good chance,” Cassell said of his flirtation with the Mavericks. “I’m close to some of the guys on the coaching staff. I know those guys personally. Definitely it was close, but I had a good relationship with guys on this team. They put it out there heavy. “It wasn’t a difficult decision.”

Dallas Morning News

The struggling Los Angeles Clippers waived injury-prone point guard Sam Cassell on Thursday, paving the way for a move to the Boston Celtics. Cassell, 38, has missed four successive games because of a sprained right wrist after being sidelined for 12 games due to a strained left calf. He has averaged 12.8 points, 4.7 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 25.7 minutes in 38 games in the 2007-08 campaign.

Reuters/Boston Globe

The Nuggets have inquired about acquiring Los Angeles Clippers guard Sam Cassell, though trade talks have not intensified, a team source said. The Nuggets have a sturdy starting backcourt in all-star Allen Iverson and Anthony Carter, who is playing the best basketball of his career. But with reserve Chucky Atkins (sports hernia surgery) out until at least mid-March, and reserve J.R. Smith playing inconsistently, Denver would like to have insurance down the stretch.

Denver Post

It takes a lot to wipe the smile off Sam Cassell’s face. Right now, the veteran point guard is at that point, admitting Sunday that he is not having fun during the Clippers’ latest run of losses. “We are 10-21,” Cassell said. “That doesn’t make it fun to enjoy. I’m still optimistic about how we can turn things around and see what we can do.”

LA Times