During the summer of 2004, Cassell used his All-NBA selection as a bargaining chip to try and get a contract extension, even though under his then current contract Cassell was signed through 2006.
When McHale refused to renegotiate, Cassell threatened to sit out the entire season or at least until the Wolves came to the bargaining table.
Cassell then skipped the opening day of training camp in protest over McHale's failure to renegotiate.
Meanwhile, Latrell Sprewell was offered a 3-year, $21-million contract extension, which he declined, saying that amount wasn't enough to feed his family.
Once the regular season began, it was obvious to everyone that the on-court chemistry had clearly disappeared. The Wolves got off to a disappointing .500 start after 20 games.
The first half of Cassell's season was marred by injuries, and neither Cassell nor Sprewell appeared to play with any fire.
Sprewell and Cassell were soon met with boos by fans during home games at the Target Center.
In December and January Wally Szczerbiak and Troy Hudson began demanding more PT.
The Wolves were still hovering around .500 after 40 games, and were only 5-11 against the Eastern Conference after racking up an impressive 24-6 mark the previous year.
McHale fired Flip Saunders in February, and moved Cassell to the bench. Sam's play deteriorated even more.
Local papers criticized Cassell for being a liability on defense and someone who took ill-advised shots on offense.
After the season, McHale shipped Cassell to Los Angeles for Marko Jaric and Lionel Chalmers
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