Madsen Should Embark On New Career

The Los Angeles Clippers waived Mark Madsen last week after they acquired him in a multi-player deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves last month.

This shouldn't have come as a surprise since Madsen was not going to be in the Clippers' plans this season.

The Clippers accepted him as part of the trade so that the salaries would fit for the them to complete the trade with the Timberwolves.

There's no question Madsen is pondering what's next for him. It's hard to believe any team would want him after years of being an overpaid cheerleader for an inept Timberwolves team.

Madsen was a good spark plug for the Lakers and in his first season with the Timberwolves, but guys like him don't last long in the NBA.

It wasn't surprising to see Madsen receive little playing time after the Timberwolves fired Flip Saunders in January 2005 in an attempt to motivate an underachieving team.

Madsen offered little offense and he was ineffective when it came to playing defense. Sure, he can knock others around, but if that's his only asset, that does not speak well for his survival in the league.

It's remarkable that he lasted nine years in this league while cashing in some nice paychecks.

Madsen's playing days are likely over, but it does not mean he should sit in the living room and tweet with his friends in the league while being a babysitter to his kids.

He has a future with the league with a couple of options that he should think about.

He can be an assistant coach if he wants. He knows the league well, and while he may not be an effective player, it does not mean he does not know anything about the game.

If anyone listened to him talk about the game in a press conference or in an interview, he has a good insight on how the game should be played and he knows the intricacies of the game.

Plus, he served as a mentor to some of the Timberwolves' young players during practice and when he toiled on the bench in recent years.

This can serve him well if he wants to learn to be a coach, and role players like him often have success as head coaches.

Madsen has connections with the Lakers, so he is a natural fit to work with Phil Jackson if both parties are interested in making it happen. The Lakers have an opening for an assistant coach with Kurt Rambis leaving to be the head coach of the Timberwolves.

He could also be a fit for Saunders' Washington Wizards staff, as Saunders liked Madsen when they were in Minnesota.

Madsen was often with Rambis during Lakers' practice, so it would be a logical fit for Madsen to come back to the Timberwolves, especially with his experience of working with the young guys, but people can forget about that scenario.

David Kahn wants proven assistant coaches that know how to work with young players, so Madsen would not fit Kahn's idea of an assistant coach.

Another option for Madsen would be television.

NBATV hires recently-retired NBA players, so Madsen would fit in right away.

His insights on the players and the league in general would attract viewers to watch, and based on his blog, he seems articulated enough to talk about it on television.

This basketball fan enjoyed his conversations with Madsen when the Timberwolves appeared in New Jersey to play the Nets once a year.

Madsen comes off as an affable gentleman that can talk about anything.

We'd all like to see him succeed in life and not fit that stereotype cliche about nice guys finishing last.

It's hard to see him end his career like this, but professional sports never have fairy tale endings, even with best athletes.

Madsen needs to deal with it, even if he does not want to.

Once he accepts it, he can move on to his new life, and he will do well in his new role in the league if he chooses that route.