The Celtics continue to make additions to head coach Joe Mazzulla's staff ahead of the 2023-24 NBA season.
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, who was the first to report the news Sunday morning, the Bucks' top assistant Charles Lee is "finalizing a deal" to join the Celtics as the lead assistant coach.
Woj also noted that Lee was recently a finalist for the Toronto Raptors and Detroit Pistons head coaching openings.
Jake Fischer of Yahoo! Sports, reported last week that the Celtics were "targeting Lee," who spent four years under Mike Budenholzer with the Hawks (2014-18), followed by joining coach Bud in Milwaukee the next five seasons (2018-23), before being promoted to top assistant this past year following Darvin Ham's departure to the Lakers.
Lee brings championship experience to Boston as he played a pivotal role with the Bucks on the sidelines during their run to the 2020-21 NBA Finals.
The hiring for the Celtics comes on the heel of team president of basketball operations Brad Stevens keeping his word of adding to Mazzulla's staff -- after the reported departure of three assistants that are expected to join Ime Udoka with the Rockets -- following Boston being eliminated by the Heat in seven games of the East Finals.
It was reported earlier this month that Stevens added Sam Cassell to the Celtics coaching staff. Cassell, who won a championship with the C's in his final season as a player during the 2007-08 campaign, has been an assistant coach for the last 14 years -- including being alongside Doc Rivers in Philadelphia the past three seasons.
With Lee and Cassell on board, Boston has already significantly improved their coaching staff that has seen plenty of turnover prior, during and now the conclusion of the 2022-23 season.
Joel Pavón
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