Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Celtics Add Former Teammate of Jayson Tatum to Coaching Staff
The Celtics have been aggressive about bolstering their coaching staff this offseason. They hired two of the league's top assistants, Sam Cassell and Charles Lee, both long deserving of opportunities to be an NBA bench boss.
Regarding those additions to Joe Mazzulla's staff, in a wide-ranging interview, Marcus Smart told Inside The Celtics, "I'm very excited about Coach Cassell and Coach Lee coming on board. Both have championship pedigree and know what it takes to get there. Coach Cassell won three championships as a player, and Coach Lee won with the Bucks. Hopefully, the Boston Celtics are next!"
Lee, Mike Budenholzer's former lieutenant, nearly got hired to become the Pistons' head coach this summer before they made one last push for Monty Williams that proved successful.
According to the Free Press, Detroit signed Williams to a contract that guarantees him $78.5 million over six seasons, the richest deal for a head coach in the NBA's history. There are also team options and incentives that could propel the value of this agreement north of $100 million.
Along with Lee and Cassell, Boston's recently added Phil Pressey to flank Mazzulla.
The former Missouri Tiger has a high basketball IQ that helped him make it to the NBA despite being five-foot-11 and undrafted. He spent two of his three seasons in the league with the Celtics, playing for the organization's current president of basketball operations, Brad Stevens.
Pressey was most recently an assistant coach for his alma mater. As this author noted previously, he spent time in Boston and was around the organization during the playoffs.
And as the Celtics continue strengthening their coaching staff, they've reportedly hired Amile Jefferson, per Travis Branham of 247Sports.
Jefferson's a former collegiate teammate and a friend of Jayson Tatum's. Boston signed him to an Exhibit 10 deal in 2020. He recently worked for the Duke Blue Devils as the men's basketball program's director of player development under Mike Krzyzewski. Jon Scheyer then promoted him to assistant coach.
Per Branham, Jefferson's joining the Celtics on a multi-year deal.
Further Reading
Grant Williams Not Expected Back If Celtics Acquire Kristaps Porzingis
Celtics in 'Strong Talks' to Acquire Kristaps Porzingis
Scouting Report on Prospects Celtics Could Draft with No. 35 Pick: Marcus Sasser
Scouting Report on Prospects Celtics Could Draft with No. 35 Pick: Julian Strawther
Scouting Report on Prospects Celtics Could Draft with No. 35 Pick: Jordan Walsh
Juhann Begarin and Yam Madar Reportedly Won't Suit Up for Celtics at Summer League
Rick Barry Says Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown Suffer From “Westbrook Syndrome”
Rick Barry Discusses Nearly Joining Celtics, Shares His Perspective on Larry Bird vs. Magic Johnson
