Cassell reportedly among targets for Lakers head coaching vacancy

The Celtics are already on the verge of losing an assistant coach at the end of their playoff run. They may also lose a second.

Celtics assistant coach Sam Cassell is one of the Lakers’ top three targets for their vacant head coaching position, Athleticism reported Tuesday.

Cassell was one of the first assistant coaches hired by Joe Mazzulla last summer as he entered his first offseason as head coach of the Celtics. He lost a few of his assistants to the Rockets, where they reunited with former Celtics coach Ime Udoka.

Cassell, who spent the final two seasons of his 16-year playing career in Boston, joined the organization after working on Doc Rivers’ staff with the 76ers for three years. The 54-year-old has emerged as a top head coaching candidate during that span, being credited with helping turn 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey into a star.

However, Cassell has yet to land a head coaching job. He ended up in Boston after Philadelphia fired Rivers and forfeited his promotion last May. He told Boston.com’s Khari Thompson in December that he’s striving to become a head coach one day.

“That’s my goal, and it’s going to come.” It will happen one day,” Cassell said. “I know it’s coming. It’s not my turn yet. I’ve been doing this for 15 years and people say “you’re next, you’re next”. Well, when God says I’m standing, I’ll stand up.

During his brief time with the Celtics, Cassell notably worked with Jayson Tatum, working one-on-one with the Boston star during practices.

The Celtics will lose senior assistant Charles Lee once their season ends after he agreed to a deal to become the Hornets’ next head coach last week. Mazzulla said he would likely promote internally to replace Lee, making Cassell a possible candidate for the role.

The Lakers begin interviews for their vacant head coaching position later this week, Athleticism reported. Former NBA player and ESPN broadcaster JJ Redick and Pelicans associate coach James Borrego are reportedly the Lakers’ other two top targets to replace Darvin Ham, who was fired earlier in May.