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Former Celtic Sam Cassell to join Boston’s coaching staff as assistant

15 years after he helped raise Banner 17, Sam Cassell will be back on the Celtic’s bench next season.

According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, the former Celtics point guard will be joining Joe Mazzulla’s staff as an assistant next season.

Although he retired from playing in 2009, Cassell has remained a fixture on NBA benches. The 53-year-old was as an assistant coach for the Washington Wizards from 2009-2014 before serving on the coaching staff of his former Celtics head coach, Doc Rivers, in Los Angeles and Philadelphia.

Prior to landing in Boston, Cassell enjoyed a lengthy career as a valued role player. He even became an All-Star in 2004 as Kevin Garnett’s point guard in Minnesota.

Paul Pierce recently lobbied for his former teammate to get the job on a recent episode of The Ticket and the Truth Podcast.

“Respect. A champion. Been a coach. Understands what it takes,” Pierce said of his championship running mate.

According to a report by the Boston Globe’s Gary Washburn, assistants Ben Sullivan, Aaron Miles, and Mike Moser are expected to reunite with their former head coach Ime Udoka in Houston, leaving three or more openings on Mazzulla’s staff.

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