標籤: Cassel

Washington Wizards head coach Brian Keefe’s time with the franchise may be nearing an end. The 50-year-old took over midway through the 2023-24 season and hasn’t made a case to be part of a potential turnaround next season alongside recently arrived veterans Trae Young and Anthony Davis.

In his two and a half seasons, he has compiled a dreadful record of 43–158. Some of this is not his fault, and the front office has pushed the team into the tank at the end of all those seasons. However, the Wizards have not shown clear signs of the development needed to keep him in the position.

Maybe that’s why The Athletic NBA insider Zach Harper suggested on Friday that he’s one of the most likely players to be fired in the next few weeks. “With Anthony Davis and Trae Young leaving at the deadline, Washington needs a coach who will instill confidence that wins are coming,” Harper wrote.

If the inevitable falls on Keefe any time soon, let’s take a look at five possible options to become the next head coach of the Washington Wizards.

taylor jenkins

Taylor Jenkins helped turn the Memphis Grizzlies into a consistent playoff contender in the Western Conference. However, his inability to manage Ja Morant and his on- and off-court issues played a role in his surprise exit at the end of last season.

The 41-year-old certainly deserves another chance as a head coach in the NBA and has shown he can develop talent. This is an essential characteristic for the next coach of the team as they still have a mostly young squad.

Sam Cassell

Sam Cassel had a really good 15-year career as a player, winning three NBA championships. But since 2009, he has built a strong reputation as a top assist during several stops, including with the Los Angeles Clippers and currently the Boston Celtics.

For many years, he has been viewed as someone who is worthy of the head coaching job, and it is only a matter of time before a franchise finally gives him a chance. If Keefe is fired he will definitely be considered.

Mika Nori

Another top assistant who has been linked to multiple head coaching jobs over the past few years is Minnesota Timberwolves assistant, Micah Nouri. He’s been learning on an NBA bench for 17 seasons and with five different teams. Of the various assistants in the game, there is none more prepared and respected than Nori.

chris quinn

Miami Heat assistant coach Chris Quinn is a man who is sure to get a top job soon. He has been with the organization for 12 years and is Erik Spoelstra’s top assistant. The Heat and their culture is one of the most respected in the game due to their potential. Quinn is one of the franchise’s greatest acolytes and can bring to Washington what has worked for them over the past decade.

tom thibodeau

Yes, former New York Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau has never reached the NBA Finals during his 13 seasons as a head coach. Apparently he has a reputation as a guy who can’t win everything. However, he has proven during his tenures in New York and Chicago that he can lift a team out of years of mediocrity and turn them into consistent winners.

For a franchise that hasn’t had a winning season in nearly a decade, at the very least, Thibodeau could help get them back on track as a consistent playoff contender in the East.

monty williams

Monty Williams was viewed as one of the great young coaches in the game after winning Coach of the Year honors with the Phoenix Suns a few seasons ago. However, since being fired from Phoenix two years ago and leading a historically bad Detroit Pistons team, his stock has declined significantly.

Yet, he is still only 54, has many fans in the NBA, and has proven he can build a program from the bottom up.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers may not be with the team much longer. There is no doubt that he is one of the best NBA coaches of the last quarter century. He is headed to the Basketball Hall of Fame’s 2026 class after winning a championship with the Boston Celtics in 2008 and amassing 1,193 career wins.

However, no one stays at the top of their game forever, and his time under the Bucks’ tutelage has been very short-lived. In two and a half seasons as head coach, he has a record of 96–100 and has managed a tumultuous 2025–26 season.

Most believe the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade drama is a dark cloud hanging over the team this year. But a new report from ESPN’s Shams Charania on Tuesday revealed a toxic situation in the locker room and a serious disconnect between Rivers, his staff and the roster. This makes it seem like a coaching change is very likely, whether Antekounmpo is traded or not.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at five potential replacements for Doc Rivers this offseason.

taylor jenkins

Taylor Jenkins helped turn the Memphis Grizzlies into a consistent playoff contender in the Western Conference. However, his inability to manage Ja Morant and his on- and off-court issues played a role in his surprise exit at the end of last season. The 41-year-old absolutely deserves another shot as a head coach in the NBA, and his previous experience in helping build a program from the ground up will appeal to the Bucks.

Sam Cassel

Sam Cassel had a really good 15-year career as a player, winning three NBA championships. But since 2009, he has built a strong reputation as a top assist during several stops, including with the Los Angeles Clippers and currently the Boston Celtics. For many years, he has been viewed as someone who is worthy of the head coaching job, and it is only a matter of time before a franchise finally gives him a chance. If Rivers was removed he would definitely be considered.

Mika Nori

Another top assistant who has been linked to multiple head coach jobs over the years is Minnesota Timberwolves assistant Micah Nouri. He’s been learning on an NBA bench for 17 seasons and with five different teams. Of the various assistants in the game, there will not be a more prepared and respected coach available this offseason than Norrie.

chris quinn

Miami Heat assistant coach Chris Quinn is a man who is sure to get a top job soon. He has been with the organization for 12 years and is Erik Spoelstra’s top assistant. The Heat and their culture is one of the most respected in the game because of its potential. Quinn is one of the franchise’s greatest acolytes and can bring what has worked for him over the past decade to Milwaukee.

mike wilkes

Sooner or later rival teams will begin looking for assistants from the Oklahoma City Thunder coaching staff as head coach Mark Daigneault has developed a championship program from the ground up. One of his top assistants on his way to becoming the top of the NBA crop is Mike Wilks.

Wilkes has been instrumental in developing their young core and has also worked under several coaches as a player. He has an interesting wealth of knowledge that makes him an interesting candidate to become the next head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks.

monty williams

Monty Williams was viewed as one of the great young coaches in the game after winning Coach of the Year honors with the Phoenix Suns a few seasons ago. However, since being fired from Phoenix two years ago and leading a historically bad Detroit Pistons team, his stock has declined significantly. Still, he has many fans in the NBA and has proven that he can build a program and win in the NBA.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

On Monday evening, the San Antonio Spurs will hit the road to take on the Miami Heat. Stephen Cassel and Devin Vassell are on the injury report for this game, both of whom were originally listed as questionable. Here’s everything we know about Cassel and Vassell’s injury status and their game status vs. the Heat.

Devin Vassell, Stephen Cassel playing situation vs. Heat

After being listed on the injury report due to hip tightness, Stephen Cassel is officially ready for the game against Miami. Meanwhile, Vassell is also a doubt with a right hamstring strain. Both players have missed time periodically over the past few weeks, with both sitting out San Antonio’s last game, which was a comfortable home win over the Indiana Pacers.

For the Heat, Jaime Jacquez Jr. is probable for this game because of left hip tightness, while All-Star Norman Powell is questionable because of right calf tightness. Andrew Wiggins likely has sesamoiditis in his left big toe.

The Spurs will face a Heat team that will likely come into this matchup with some frustration, having lost four straight games, including a blowout loss to the Houston Rockets over the weekend.

San Antonio, meanwhile, sits at 53-18 on the most recent season, winners of five straight games and tied with the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference standings.

Erik Spoelstra and company will likely look to deploy a physical defensive approach against Spurs star Victor Wembanyama, meaning the onus will be on the star’s teammates to thwart his open shots and attack the open lanes that will inevitably present themselves.

Tipoff between San Antonio and Miami is scheduled for 7:00 pm ET from South Beach.

It seems like just a few years ago San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson was a wide-eyed rookie out of Kentucky. Now, he is Spurs’ longest-tenured player, providing toughness and leadership.

They proved it again when they visited the Detroit Pistons on Monday at Little Caesars Arena.

Things turned sour in the second quarter when Pistons guard Cade Cunningham knocked Spurs guard Stephen Cassel to the floor. Johnson came forward and nudged Cunningham, saying a few words to him.

Pistons center Jalen Duren entered the field and pointed the finger at Johnson. Luckily, before it escalated further, cooler heads prevailed. full dispute. Johnson and Duren were both whistled for technical fouls.

Keldon Johnson and Jalen Duren received technique after this conversation

Cade Cunningham was called for an offensive foul for the initial push on Stephen Castle.

pic.twitter.com/ClIliygbSP

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 24 February 2026

As expected, tensions were high between the two top NBA teams, especially since it was their first meeting.

While Spurs have other players older than him, the 26-year-old Johnson has taken on a big brother role on the team. He has taken Victor Wembanyama under his wing, even shaving his head, to help his young teammate develop and transition to the NBA.

Johnson has progressed in coach Mitch Johnson’s first full year, averaging 13.4 points, 54.5% shooting and 5.7 rebounds off the bench. He is a strong candidate for Sixth Man of the Year.

At the time of writing, there is still a close battle between the Spurs and Pistons in the third quarter.

Cassel had 12 points, two rebounds and seven assists, while Johnson had six points and two rebounds.

San Antonio Spurs guard Stephen Cassel has the tough job of guarding the Los Angeles Lakers’ two top leading scorers, All-Star Luka Doncic and Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Whenever the Spurs face the Lakers or Thunder, it is his responsibility to be in front of the NBA’s leading scorers. Castle is one of the most promising guards in the league due to his impressive two-way play.

He fills out the stat sheet as a scorer on one end of the floor and a skilled playmaker who can defend at high level On the other. According to ESPN’s NBA Today, Cassel talked about defending Doncic and Gilgeous-Alexander in their respective Spurs matchups against the Lakers and Thunder.

Cassel said, “I’m very proud of it. I ask for those matchups. I wouldn’t want it any other way. I think I can be one of the best perimeter defenders in the league.” “Day by day, that’s just what I’m trying to prove.”

“I’m very proud of it… I ask for those matchups. I wouldn’t want it any other way. I think I can be one of the best perimeter defenders in the league.”

Stephen Cassel explains what it’s like to guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luka Doncic 🗣️pic.twitter.com/JgigTeCfxW

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 14 February 2026

Cassel played a key role in the Spurs’ three consecutive wins over the Thunder over 12 days in December, including their Christmas Day showdown, which turned into a blowout victory. Gilgeous-Alexander was held to 22 points on 7-of-19 shooting, including 1-of-6 from deep. In only his second season, Castle is having a breakout campaign for the Spurs.

In a 138–125 win against the Dallas Mavericks, he made NBA history by becoming the youngest NBA player to record a 40/12/12 triple-double. He finished with 40 points, 12 assists, 12 rebounds, three steals and one block.

Harrison Barnes on Spurs’ Stephen Cassel All-Star consideration

While Warriors All-Star Stephen Curry has recovered from a knee injury suffered in the NBA’s big weekend, Spurs veteran forward Harrison Barnes says Stephen Cassel was deserving of All-Star consideration to replace SGA. Barnes also supported the other half of the Spurs’ backcourt in De’Aaron Fox as another option.

Barnes says Spurs have second-best record in Western Conference either guard must be replaced Curry.

“It would be criminal if he did that [Castle] And Fox did not notice him. We’re ranked No. 2 in the West,” Barnes said. “I think what we’ve done is, for the teams below us that had two All-Stars, I don’t know of any case that if we’re talking about the impact on winning and playing high-level basketball, why one of them shouldn’t be selected and/or be highly considered for those spots.”

Harrison Barnes advocated that at least one of his two Spurs teammates should have been named an All-Star alternative to Steph Curry:

“It would be criminal if [Stephon Castle] And [De’Aaron] Fox did not notice. …What we have done, for the teams that are below us… pic.twitter.com/Xjf3Fk9uz0

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 11 February 2026

Although the NBA has announced Toronto Raptors forward Brandon Ingram as Curry’s replacement, De’Aaron Fox will replace the Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo at All-Star Sunday.