Forward says he would like to play for a team that would truly appreciate him.
By ALLON SINAICasspi 311(photo credit: REUTERS)
For the fourth time in the past seven games, Omri Casspi never left the Sacramento Kings’ bench on Sunday night, watching from the sideline as his team claimed a 106-97 home victory over the Utah Jazz.The 22-year-old Israeli forward has experienced an erratic sophomore season in the NBA under the guidance of fickle coach Paul Westphal. After playing a total of just 27 minutes in Sacramento’s last seven games, Casspi has revealed that he would like to leave the Kings for a team that would truly appreciate him.“It’s not easy for me to sit on the bench, which has happened to me quite a bit in Sacramento’s last few games,” Casspi wrote in a column published on Israeli sports website ONE.“I’m a player who lives the game and as soon as you take away the thing I love the most in the world – playing basketball, it is hard for me.“The situation in Sacramento is not like it used to be in the past. Coach Paul Westphal is experimenting and trying different things and I’m certainly not in his plans. We have six more games until the end of the season, and although I won’t say that I’m counting the seconds, it is clear to me that I will have to make some decisions at the end of the year.”Casspi, who has averaged 8.8 points and 4.4 rebounds in 69 games so far this season, claimed that there is plenty of interest in his services from other teams in the league.“I know that there are many teams, including some playoff teams, that want me ahead of next season,” he wrote. “I hope to find myself in a team that appreciates me as a player and a person, a team that plays like a team.“I still don’t know if I will definitely not be continuing with the Kings. I’ve got a contract and love the fans, the city, the owner and the general manager."But things haven’t worked out and that is legitimate."Sacramento is the team that gave me the chance to play in the NBA so it would be egotistical of me to say I want to leave, but I’m certain that I’m good enough to play, whether it is for the Kings or another team.
“Clearly the current situation is not ideal for the team and for me. There are other teams which suit me better and since I have an excellent relationship with the players and the staff, I hope that they appreciate me enough to let me leave for a place where I can play basketball.”
