Finally, a John Calipari NBA coaching denial that makes sense.
Calipari, the Kentucky Wildcats godfather, is linked with nearly every available NBA coaching job (and many that are occupied) — yet continues to deny, deny, deny any suggestion of a wandering eye. The flaming mess of a franchise known as the Sacramento Kings was no exception.
Yahoo Sports reported Calipari has been communicating with Kings owner Vivek Ranadive about taking over as coach and de facto GM of the franchise, which has been beset by nasty discord involving coach George Karl and star player DeMarcus Cousins. Calipari could command an annual salary in the $10 million range.
Coach Cal reached into his well-worn denial playbook Tuesday to carefully dispel interest in the Kings (he’s not actively looking, there was no contract offer on the table) — and to promote his affiliation with Cousins and first-round pick Willie Cauley-Stein, former players at Kentucky.
For the 100th time, I have the best basketball coaching position in the world. I am not looking for any other coaching position.
— John Calipari (@CoachCalArk) June 30, 2015
Since he bought the team, @Vivek and I have talked on and off about @boogiecousins.
— John Calipari (@CoachCalArk) June 30, 2015
.@Vivek has asked me what I thought about @boogiecousins and I told him he would be an all-star, and I was right.
— John Calipari (@CoachCalArk) June 30, 2015
In the last two weeks, we’ve also talked a bunch about the draft and on draft day, obviously because of @ThewillieCS15.
— John Calipari (@CoachCalArk) June 30, 2015
At no time has @Vivek offered me a job. I WILL BE AT KENTUCKY.
— John Calipari (@CoachCalArk) June 30, 2015
The Yahoo report portrays Ranadive as eager to coax Cousins back into the fold — he had sought a trade the Los Angeles Lakers — and states lawyers have examined how to fire Karl with cause and recoup the $10 million remaining on the coach’s contract. It’s not likely.
Calipari hasn’t handled NBA general manager duties since his stint with the Nets in the late 1990s, though that would make him more qualified than stand-in Vlade Divac, who reportedly frustrated other teams’ executive with his lack of knowledge and preparation during NBA Draft week.
