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Cassell fails to report to T-Wolves camp Sam Cassell was a no-show on the first day of training camp Tuesday, sending a message to the Minnesota Timberwolves that he was displeased about not getting a contract extension.
"He's not totally unhappy, he just feels it's time for him to look out for his interests," said Charles Tucker, Cassell's agent.
Tucker said he spoke to Cassell on Tuesday afternoon, and that his client was in Minneapolis. The agent said he hoped to meet with Cassell on Tuesday evening, but he didn't know when Cassell would report to camp. Cassell also missed the team's media day on Monday.
"Does he want to be there? Yes," Tucker said.
After the Wolves' evening practice, vice president of basketball operations Kevin McHale said he also spoke with Cassell. McHale said he was hopeful that Cassell would report on Wednesday, but wouldn't guarantee it.
"Until they show up, I'm not banking on nothing," McHale said.
Cassell's contract calls for him to be paid $5.65 million this season and $6.1 million next season.
Tucker said Cassell, 34, wants to make sure that he's part of Minnesota's long-term plans.
Cassell had career bests in scoring (19.8 points per game) and shooting (48.8 percent) during the regular season and made his first All-Star team in his first season with Minnesota, his 10th in the league.
The trio of Cassell, league MVP Kevin Garnett and Latrell Sprewell led the Wolves out of the first round of the playoffs for the first time in team history. Minnesota lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference finals, a series that Cassell barely played in because of torn cartilage in his hip.
He had successful surgery in June to repair the cartilage.
Without Cassell, the Wolves are thin at point guard because backup Troy Hudson is still recovering from ankle surgery that kept him out most of last season and all of the playoffs.
But coach Flip Saunders said he wasn't worried.
"No distraction at all," Saunders said. "The guys that aren't on the floor, I don't worry about. We'll just go as is."
Garnett, who became close friends with Cassell and Sprewell last season, didn't seem overly concerned.
"We as players support him," Garnett said, adding that he stayed in contact with Cassell this offseason and knew about his contract concerns.
"If we were in the dark, I think guys would be a lot more (wary) of where he's at or what's going on," Garnett said. "But again, the lines of communications are totally open between him and his teammates. We're just right here waiting on him to get here."
McHale said Cassell should have been at camp at St. John's University, and he will be fined for each day he misses. "Sam's under contract, we expect him to be here," he said. When asked what he thought was the best way to resolve the situation, he said, "You have to ask Sam that." |
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