Could E.T. truly phone home?
Point guard Sam Cassell told Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix that he wouldn't mind finishing his career where it started.
"Two more years. That's how much longer I want to play," said Cassell when asked about his basketball future. "I'm 36, and I'm still at a high level. I feel good. I wouldn't mind staying in L.A., but if not, I'd like to go back to Houston, where I live in the off-season."
"Sam I Am" has received rave reviews this season for what he has done to help resurrect the lifeless Clipper franchise. Since being acquired by L.A. in an offseason deal, the 6-foot-3 guard is averaging 17.9 points and 6.6 assists while hitting over 40% of his threes for the first time in his career.
Given his impact and Cassell's long-held desire to get "paid", it's not likely that Sam and the Clips will part ways. However, Clippers owner Donald Sterling isn't exactly known for his free spending.
Cassell was drafted by the Rockets #24 overall in 1993 and was a key contributor to the Rockets back-to-back championships in his rookie season of 1994 and 1995. By 1996, Cassell had upped his averages to 14.5 points and 4.56 assists in just 27 minutes of play while sharing time with guard Kenny Smith.
After that season, his third in Houston, he was traded to the Suns, along with Robert Horry, Chucky Brown and Mark Bryant, in a package deal for Charles Barkley.
