Philadelphia 76ers: 10 head coaching candidates to consider

Sixers coaching candidate: Sam Cassell

A three-time NBA champion, Sam Cassell spent 15 years in the NBA split between eight teams. He was a massive success on the court, and he seems destined for similar success on the sidelines. After retirement in 2009, Cassell immediately joined the Wizards coaching staff, where he spent four years. In 2014, he joined the Clippers bench, where he has coached under Doc Rivers ever since.

Few head coaches command more respect and garner more admiration league-wide than Rivers. When you consider that, in addition to Cassell’s vast experience as both a coach and a player, it’s not hard to peg him as someone with a bright future in the profession.

He’s part of a Clippers bench that has been loaded in recent years. He is one of two Clippers assistants on this list — the other is Tyronn Lue, as you probably guessed — so it’s easy for him to get lost in the shuffle. But Cassell was endlessly smart as a player, and he continues to build a strong reputation as a coach. He’s definitely a name to watch.

The Sixers need to be thorough in this search. A former player who knows the league, who has won championships, and whose voice will have gravity in the locker room, is a strong archetype to lean on. Especially when a main goal — if not the main goal — is to appease your stars. You need someone to hold Embiid and Simmons accountable. Cassell is up to the task.