CLIP TRADE TWO FOR CASSELL
The Los Angeles Clippers acquired guard Sam Cassell and a conditional first-round draft pick from the Minnesota Timberwolves for guards Marko Jaric and Lionel Chalmers.
What does it give the Los Angeles Clippers
An injury-prone, aging all-star point guard who can tutor their
injury-prone future all-star point guard. The draft pick will eventually
pan out more than Cassell, whom at 35 (going on 36) is on the downside
of career. He reportedly is already publicly pushing for a contract
extension from his new team, but the Clips aren't likely to give him one
(as they're as cost-conscious a club as there is in the NBA and quite
obviously only picked him up to tutor top point guard Shaun Livingston).
Don't expect Cassell to return to all-star form in Clipperland.
What does it give the Minnesota Timberwolves
An underrated and versatile team player who will make the T-Wolves
better, and a back-up point guard (in Chalmers) who can score a little.
Jaric is a true diamond-in-the-rough who's been on the verge of breaking
out for a couple of seasons now. He's much younger, bigger, and more
versatile than Cassell and he also represents a turning of the page for
the talented T-Wolves. Cassell and fellow veteran Latrell Sprewell were
rightly blamed for much of Minny's decline last season and Jaric will be
a breath of fresh air who brings all-star caliber talent but not the
same me-first attitude as Cassell. He can also play shooting guard and
small forward, an added bonus.
Fantasy impact
