For Lasme, this all sucks. It really, really sucks. He was *this close* to making the Celtics, but instead had to settle for the Red Claws when Wafer took Lasme’s spot late in preseason. I look back to one game, the game in Toronto, when Lasme couldn’t travel with the Celtics because of visa issues. That day Wafer started to separate himself by scoring 14 points. Lasme probably watched at home on television, kicking himself for the visa issues that might have ultimately cost him a spot in the NBA.

Lasme was sent down to the Red Claws. Playing overseas for big money wasn’t an option, because Lasme needs employment in the United States to fulfill residency requirements. He was forced to turn down more money from a Russian team so he could stay in America with his wife and daughter.

Now he can’t even play for the Red Claws, can’t even continue his quest to become an NBA player. And Lasme isn’t a young 20-year old, either. He’ll be 28 years old in December. The window of opportunity won’t stay open for too long. Few teams will be willing to roll the dice on a 30-year old 15th man, I can promise.

Chris Forsberg reported that Lasme faces a “lengthy recovery,” and will be sidelined “indefinitely.” The Red Claws retain his rights, and GM Jon Jennings said the team looks forward to Lasme’s recovery. But this is a serious setback, one that could keep Lasme from ever reaching the NBA, just when it seemed he was closer to achieving his dreams than ever before.