Feb. 17, 2026, 5:01 a.m. ET

Today in Boston Celtics history, Sam Cassell was traded to the Sacramento Kings in 2009. Cassell was dealt to the Kings for a conditional second round draft pick midway through the 2008-09 NBA regular season after helping to win a title with Boston, and never actually suited up for Sacramento.

Instead, the Florida State alum was serving as something of an unofficial assistant for the team’s head coach Doc Rivers before the deal while not playing any games despite being listed with the team as an active player. It was, oddly enough, the second time in his pro career that he was traded on this day. Cassell had previously been shipped to the (then) New Jersey (now Brooklyn) Nets by the Dallas Mavericks. Cassell, perhaps as much known for his celebratory dance as much as the titles with Boston and the Houston Rockets, averaged 7.6 points and 2.1 assists in his time in green.

He is currently an assistant coach with the Celtics, back working with the team he won a title with in 2008.

BOSTON - JUNE 05: Sam Cassell #28 of the Boston Celtics talks to Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the first half of Game One of the 2008 NBA Finals on June 5, 2008 at TD Banknorth Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)Birthdays

Today is also the birthday of former Celtics point guard Phil Pressey, born this day in 1991 in Dallas, Texas. Going undrafted after declaring for the 2013 NBA draft, Pressey played his way onto the Celtics roster after a strong showing in that summer’s Orlando Summer League. He was no doubt aided by the fact that his father, Paul Pressey, was a former assistant coach for the club.

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Phil spent two full seasons with Boston, averaging 3.1 points and 2.9 assists in just under 14 minutes per game. That’s impressive for such a small amount of time but was not enough to earn him a longer-term roster spot. He is currently the head coach of the Maine Celtics.