Sam Cassell had surgery Tuesday to repair torn cartilage in his hip, and his agent said the Minnesota Timberwolves point guard will recover in plenty of time for training camp.

Cassell's agent, Charles Tucker, said letting the hip heal on its own was an option. But they decided to get it taken care of now.

"Because he's got so many skills, he'll still be able to be play strong for five years," Tucker said Tuesday by phone, shortly after the two left the hospital.

"It's like having a rock in your shoe. You can move the rock around where it can feel better, but the problem is you've still got a rock in your shoe. Once you take the rock out of your shoe, then you can be sure that it won't get you at a certain time."