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The Utah Jazz is officially on the search for their next head coach after Quin Snyder abruptly quit a couple of weeks ago and Danny Ainge is turning to his Celtics ties for the team’s next interview.
Per Shams, the Jazz is set to interview Philadelphia 76ers assistant Sam Cassell, who was a part of Ainge’s 2008 Boston squad that won an NBA title:
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
As noted by Charania, Cassell has been an AC since 2009. He retired from the Association after winning a ring in 08′ and immediately moved into a coaching role with the Washington Wizards for five years. Cassell then went out West to the Clippers until 2020 before joining Doc Rivers in Philly. The Jazz is also expected to interview Jason Terry and former Lakers HC Frank Vogel for this vacancy.
Cassell is definitely due for a chance to lead his own team after 13 years as an assistant. He’s a 3-time NBA champ who won it all on two different occasions in the early 90s with the Houston Rockets.
The Jazz is coming off a disappointing season where they once again failed to live up to expectations in the playoffs, suffering a first-round exit. Snyder was never expected to be let go, but it’s clear he wasn’t keen on the job anymore as the franchise now decides if they should break up Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert. There are lots of rumors flying around that Utah could trade the Frenchman this summer.