Cassell says buyout discussions with Clippers ongoing

[BDodgers at aol.com]

Cassell says buyout discussions with Clippers  ongoing
 
ESPN.com news services






 



 
_Sam Cassell_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=1295)  
acknowledged Monday that he is seeking a  buyout of his contract with the _Los  
Angeles Clippers_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=lac) , 
opening the possibility he could land with the _Boston Celtics_ 
(http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=bos)  or another NBA team priming for a  playoff 
run.  
 
"They've been discussing it, so what more can I say?" Cassell said, according 
 to the Los Angeles Times. "Both parties are getting to a number and saying, 
'OK,  this is what we'll do it for.' I just want to be treated fairly." 
The Boston Globe reported that according to a Clippers source, the team will  
announce the buyout on Tuesday. The Celtics, _Dallas Mavericks_ 
(http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=dal)  and _Denver Nuggets_ 
(http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=den)  are preparing to make Cassell an offer  once 
he clears waivers in 48 hours, NBA sources indicated, according to the  
report.  
If Cassell wants to join a playoff-bound team, a buyout and subsequent  
release by the Clippers needs to happen by Saturday. Under league rules, a  player 
waived after March 1 and signed for the rest of the season is not  eligible to 
play in the playoffs.  
Cassell has talked about the situation with Clippers coach _Mike Dunleavy_ 
(http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3601) , the newspaper 
reported.  
"My level of respect for [Dunleavy] has grown," Cassell said, according to  
the Times. "He understands the situation and he's been great about it. There's  
no love lost, but it ain't like I've got five more years of basketball. I've 
got  two at the most, but one definitely.  
"I can't knock him at all. If it was his whole decision, it might have  
happened. But it ain't his decision."  
Earlier this month, the Globe reported that Cassell was seeking a buyout from 
 the Clippers, with the intent of joining the Celtics. Cassell later said 
that he  had been misquoted in that report.  
According to the Times, the Clippers attempted to deal Cassell as part of a  
multi-player trade with the _Memphis Grizzlies_ 
(http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=mem)  that would sent have _Mike Miller_ 
(http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3404)  to Los Angeles -- and when that trade 
 fizzled just before the deadline, there wasn't time to revisit other trade  
possibilities.  
"I've been dealing with this for a month and it's going to come to an end  
soon. Hopefully something positive will come of it. I'll let it rest and  
hopefully everything will work its way out," Cassell said before Monday's game  
against the Celtics, according to the Globe. Cassell did not play in Boston's  
104-76 rout of the Clippers.  
"My agent has been talking to them about it, but until he calls me and tells  
me to pack my bag, I'm still here," Cassell said, according to the  Globe.






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