The guess here is that Sam Cassell will eventually take the three-year, $17.1 million contract extension that is on the table from the Milwaukee Bucks.

Not only would it be the right thing for Cassell to do, it would be the smart thing to protect himself in a changing economic climate in the National Basketball Association.

Cassell need only look around the league to see aging, yet worthy veterans out of work. The upcoming luxury tax has changed the way many teams do business. Few are willing to spend their mid-class exception for fear of becoming subject to the tax. Whereas many teams once carried a 14- or 15-man roster by protecting players on the injured list, more and more this season will cut expenses by going with just 13 players.