[Rumor...possibly confirmed?] Sam Cassell will not return to the Clippers

He agreed to re-sign last night

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp...eadlines-sports

The Clippers reacted swiftly after Radmanovic and Cassell apparently reneged on agreements to stay with them, then reaching terms with the sharp-shooting Thomas and making a push for free-agent guard Bobby Jackson as a back-up plan in case Cassell left.

But Cassell, the 36-year-old point guard and undisputed on-court general of the Clippers last season, late Saturday agreed to a two-year, $13-million contract, keeping intact a Clippers nucleus that lasted longer than the Lakers in this year's playoffs.

Free agents cannot officially sign contracts until July 12.

Throughout the day, Cassell was weighing three options: a two-year, $13-million offer from Atlanta, a two-year, $11-million offer from the Clippers and a three-year, $12-million offer from Denver. After learning Atlanta was the highest bidder, Clippers Coach Mike Dunleavy told Cassell to give him a number to get the deal done, sources said.

Dunleavy received approval from Clippers owner Donald T. Sterling to increase the offer, and Cassell agreed to remain with the team he helped lead to new heights last season.

 

I dont know of any tradeable assets besides head and possibly howard but then we'd be extremely thin at PF position. I also don't want to lose depth giving up Head. I think he's still developing and can grow in Houston. Doesn't look like this will happen bc I'm sure LA will get alot more attractive S&T offers anyway. I think MJ is the smartest route to go financially with the point guard/shooting guard needs.

 

I saw this too on ESPNEWS about 25 minutes ago. They said Cassell will not return to the Clippers. I am confused. LA Times said the deal was done, Fox 26 said Cassell will sign with the Hawks.

 

Cassell seems to be using the Hawks to twist the Clips into giving him the exact contract he wants. Put the squeeze on Baylor.

 

He signed with the clips.
http://www.dailynews.com/portlet/article/html/fragments/print_article.jsp?article=4006275
Article Launched: 7/03/2006 12:00 AM
Clips re-sign Cassell
Daily News Staff and Wire Services
Inside SOCAL

Sam Cassell agreed to play the final two years of his career with the Clippers late Saturday night and effectively ended the Clippers' free-agent negotiating within 24hours, an NBA source confirmed Sunday.

Cassell agreed to a two-year, $13 million contract that will allow him to follow through with his plan to play two more NBAseasons, then start a coaching career.

Although there were twists and turns throughout negotiations Saturday, the Clippers ended the day with their roster intact after the best season in Clippers history with one change: replacing Vladimir Radmanovic with Tim Thomas.

Radmanovic accepted a deal with the Lakers, and the Clippers quickly adapted to his departure by signing Thomas to a four-year, $24 million contract.

At first, the Clippers only offered the 36-year-old point guard a one-year contract, then relented to a two-year deal.

Cassell might have had a similar offer elsewhere, perhaps with the Atlanta Hawks, and his camp and the Clippers negotiated throughout the day.

The Clippers are over the salary cap, used their midlevel exception to sign Thomas and will have 12 players with guaranteed contracts when Cassell and Thomas officially sign with the team July 12.

Boniface Ndong and rookie Paul Davis probably will make the squad, so there will only be one available slot on their 15-man roster. The Clippers might even keep that slot open for flexibility.

- Joe Stevens

Also: The New Orleans Hornets agreed to terms Sunday with free-agent guard Bobby Jackson, adding another veteran presence to an improving team. Jackson's agent, Andy Miller, said Jackson had agreed to a multiyear deal with the Hornets but wouldn't disclose the terms. ... Power forward Nene agreed to a six-year, $60 million deal to stay with the Denver Nuggets.