John Calipari is like the Nick Saban of college basketball in that every offseason he faces a swirl of rumors that he is bolting Kentucky for an NBA team. The head coach has international coaching experience and naturally it seems like the next step for him. This year is no different. He could not even get through a post-game press conference following a loss in the NCAA championship game without being asked if he was jumping ship. So, is he?
This whole rumor got started because basketball "insider" Rex Chapman tweeted out that Calipari to the Los Angeles Lakers was a done deal. #NoBS. The Internet is a dangerous thing folks. Calipari was immediately asked about the chances that he is headed out west to replace current Lakers coach, Mike D'Antoni, something he strongly denied.
''The Lakers have a basketball coach,'' Calipari said, via ESPN.com. ''Kentucky has a basketball coach. I have the best job in the country.''
Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak backed Calipari's statements saying that the D'Antoni was the head coach in Los Angeles and there have been no conversations that would dictate otherwise. This may actually be true. While it was originally assumed that D'Antoni would be fired at the end of the season thanks to the team's struggling record. However, Mark Medina of the LA Daily News is reporting that D'Antoni will be retained throughout the duration of his contract which has one more guaranteed year left on it. The Lakers must pay him no matter, so financially the move makes sense.
So, Calipari might not be headed to the Lakers, but could he be destined for the Knicks? Chapman's tweet opened a flood gate of rumors. According to Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com, the New York Knicks reached out to the Kentucky coach about his interest in coaching in the NBA. They reached out back in January during a time when the Wildcats were struggling. The conversation never went any further.
However, the Knicks are likely to fire Mike Woodson at the end of the season. Retaining the head coach likely means waving goodbye to Carmelo Anthony and struggling to bring in other big names. Hiring someone like Calipari shows an urgency to change the team around which could go a long way for future free agents. Will it happen? That remains to be seen, but blame Chapman because now the NBA and college basketball offseason will be headlined by a potential Calipari move.
