"Sometimes you got to be an a**hole" - Lakers' head coach prospect Sam Cassell shares his ultimate NBA career desire

The LA Lakers are expected to be in the market for a new coach. Although nothing has been finalized yet, the team is in the midst of the hiring process, with many coaches in the mix. While NBA vet JJ Redick has continued to be one of the most widely discussed names for the job, three-time NBA champion Sam Cassell has also been in the running.

As a longtime assistant coach who has been on the cusp of a head coaching position in recent years, Cassell is hoping that he finally gets his chance. As he explained on a recent episode of the Point Game podcast, becoming a head coach is something he has his sights set on.

The way he sees things, all he needs is an opportunity, and should the opportunity to prove himself arise, he believes he would rise to the occasion. Being a former player, Cassell explained that he knows what players need from a coach, even if that means being the bad guy.

"I want an opportunity to be a head coach in this league man. I just want an opportunity to be a head coach because I know I can do it. I just want an opportunity. I'm not begging for it.

"I just know if I get an opportunity I'm going to be a good head coach because I understand what it takes to get a player going, what a player want to hear. You know, sometimes you gotta be an a**hle on the bench. That's old-school coaching right there."

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Looking at other candidates for the LA Lakers' coaching job besides Sam Cassell

After parting ways with Darvin Ham following their elimination from the playoffs, the LA Lakers are looking to find a new head coach. While the process is expected to take some time as the Lakers not only explore the market but also wait for the postseason to play out, several contenders have emerged.

As previously mentioned, JJ Redick has received some consideration given the fact that he and LeBron James host a podcast together. That has, of course, been rather controversial as many have cautioned Redick against taking a job coaching a player whom he shares a podcast with.

At the same time, the Lakers also have many other options on the table, including Sam Cassell. The three-time NBA champ has been an assistant coach with the Boston Celtics for the past two seasons.

Before that, he was an assistant with the Philadelphia 76ers for several years and had spent time with the LA Clippers and the Washington Wizards.

Given that, he seems to be a more likely choice than Redick simply based on his coaching pedigree. Another name who has been mentioned as a potential candidate for the Lakers coaching job is former Milwaukee Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer, who has been a free agent since parting ways with the Bucks.

While Budenholzer hasn't been as widely-discussed of a candidate as Redick for instance, his experience and accomplishments speak for themselves. With the offseason to figure things out, there's no telling how things will play out in LA.