Who will be the next head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers? We might be nearing an answer to this question considering several candidates have been interviewed by the Lakers over the last few days. However, only a few have managed to top the list, which includes a 54-year-old coach of the Boston Celtics. While reports have revealed that he is a legitimate contender for the Lakers head coaching vacancy alongside JJ Redick, Paul Pierce believes the Celtics coach should not take up the job for one big reason. 

Pierce was joined by former NBA veteran Jason Crowe on The Truth Lounge where the Lakers coaching vacancy was discussed. Crowe believes Celtics assistant coach Sam Cassell deserves to be a head coach in the NBA, and that it should start with the Lakers. However, Pierce has a difference in opinion. The 2008 champion simply said, “I’m not wishing that on him[Cassell]“. 

Pierce justified his point, “I’m not saying he doesn’t deserve it, but like, that’s a job where it’s going to be too much…you don’t want to take that job as your first head coaching job, based on the situation that they in right now.”

Pierce further added, “I think Sam is deserving of a coaching job but I personally don’t like this job for him. I don’t think this job has a lot of stability.” Pierce’s criticism is on the Lakers and not on Cassell. But how do the odds read as James Borrego and JJ Redick make the list? 

Is Sam Cassell a legitimate contender for the Lakers? What is the one convincing factor? 

Ever since joining the league in 2009, Sam Cassell has been an assistant coach to 4 different franchises. However, his current tenure with the Boston Celtics under Joe Mazzula seems to be bringing his biggest win yet. Following Celtics’ win over the Cavaliers 4-1, Cassell made his way to the Eastern Conference Finals where the team now awaits its opponent from Pacers vs Knicks. In his excellent run, reports reveal that the league has given the Lakers a thumbs up to interview him.

It is further stated that Sam Cassell is a ‘legitimate contender,’ but at the same time, it appears that Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers is aggressively trying to bring Cassell into his coaching unit. Cassell has been a part of River’s coaching team for nine NBA seasons. 

However, the Lakers have convincing factors that make a case for Cassell to become their next head coach. NBA insider Marc Stein opines that Cassell’s representation by American sports agency Klutch Sports, which also represents LeBron James and Anthony Davis could act as a factor. But it would as be further added on by his “particularly good knack in the locker room when it comes to connecting with star players.” The former point guard, who wishes to be a head coach someday might allign with the stance. 

“I just know if I get an opportunity, I’m gonna be a good head coach. I understand what it takes to get a player going. Sometimes you gotta be an a****** on the bench. That’s old school coaching,” he says. Would Cassell be the answer to spectators’ worry of LeBron being tough to handle?