Sam Cassell

Acquiring Cassell paid huge dividends for the Clippers last season, as the cagey veteran led the Clips to the best season in franchise history: 47 wins, the six seed in the Western Conference, a playoff series victory over Denver; all the way to game seven of the conference semifinals against the powerful Phoenix Suns. The season, in turn, paid huge dividends for Sam Cassell – he was rewarded with a two-year, $13 million contract in the offseason, even though he turns 37 this November. It seems reasonable to assume that Cassell will open the season as the starter, as the Clippers attempt to build on last year’s success. But over time, look for a gradual changing of the guard (pun intended), as Shaun Livingston is just too talented to keep on the bench for much longer.

Sam-I-Am says he’s the starter for the Clippers. His coach says things will be determined in training camp. Either way, expect Cassell to play a very prominent role, as Shawn Livingston is very young and raw.

Cassell seems to get better with age, though a hip injury limited his effectiveness in the playoffs, and he's returning from offseason surgery to correct the problem. Cassell averaged a career-high 19.8 ppg in 2003-04, and put up 7.2 apg as well. He shoots a high percentage (48.8 percent last season), and is great from the line as well (87.3 percent). Kevin Garnett and Latrell Sprewell get so much defensive attention that Cassell has a lot of room to operate.

Cassell will be the starting point guard for Minnesota after being traded from Milwaukee in the offseason. He may share the floor with Troy Hudson and play shooting guard at times. He might see a modest drop off in his stats with more options on offense in Minnesota.