76ers might lose Sam Cassell to the Utah Jazz

Ryan Conway
June 15, 2022
Sixers
0 Comments

It’s happening again… The Utah Jazz are set to interview 76ers assistant Sam Cassell for their vacant head coach position, according to Shams Charania.

The Utah Jazz are interviewing Philadelphia 76ers assistant Sam Cassell for their open head coaching job, sources tell me and @Tjonesonthenba. Cassell was part of the 2008 champion Celtics, constructed by now-Jazz CEO Danny Ainge, and has been an assistant coach since 2009.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 15, 2022

This is awful news.

Many Sixers fans have been screaming to the heavens begging for a new head coach. But, instead, it seems the organization is set on Doc Rivers, even with the chance they lose yet another assistant to a head coaching gig.

In a vacuum, this is a mildly frustrating occurrence, if anything at all. But, unfortunately, the Sixers have a way of having moves like this come back to bite them.

We all know how this story goes. Utah will hire Cassell away from Philadelphia, and he’ll finish as a finalist for Coach of the Year. Meanwhile, the Sixers will be stuck with an inferior head coach.

Sam Cassell next — You may recognize this guy

Brett Brown and Rivers’ tenures left the door open for Monty Williams and Ime Udoka, two coaches that have undoubtedly proven themselves better at the job than both of them. Legacy aside, right now, I don’t think it’s particularly close.

I can totally understand why the Sixers are sticking with Rivers (I can’t but I’m trying to establish common ground). He’s got a lot of money left on his contract, and the Sixers looked like they had a real shot at title for a little while there (again, not really, but whatever).

No matter where you fall on the Doc Hate Spectrum, you have to admit this is getting a little tiresome. The Sixers had two of the best coaches in the NBA in the building, and both have made The Finals before their former employer.

I’m not saying Sam Cassell will be that level of coach, but it’s entirely possible. Joel Embiid’s development of the more guard-like aspects of his game has flourished under Cassell. His passing took a massive leap this season, and his ball-handling was the best it’s ever been. Of course, there’s still room to grow, which is why It’d be a shame to break up this pairing right now.