Will John Calipari ever leave Kentucky for the NBA? Other than proving his critics wrong, Cal doesn’t have much to gain by leaving the Wildcats.
John Calipari’s name inevitably finds its way into the headlines when there’s an opening in the NBA. Oddly enough, with several NBA head coaching vacancies this year, Calipari’s name has yet to surface. Have NBA owners and GMs finally realized that Calipari is content at UK? Will Coach Cal ever leave the university for a shot in the NBA?
The Hawks, Hornets, Pistons, Grizzlies, Bucks, Knicks, Magic, Suns and Raptors will all have new coaches next season. Atlanta, Charlotte, Memphis, New York and Phoenix have all settled on their new head man going into the 2018-19 season.
Don’t you find it strange, that with so many openings, Cal’s name is nowhere to be seen? In fact, I don’t think any current college coaches are on any NBA franchise’s short-list of candidates. Odd, considering the success of former Butler coach Brad Stevens and former Missouri coach Quin Snyder. Former college coaches Fred Hoiberg and Billy Donovan are also in the league.
Team officials seem perfectly content to recycle former NBA coaches, give opportunities to NBA assistant coaches or even entertain the idea of giving a head coaching job to TV analysts like Mark Jackson and Kenny Smith.
Remember 2014?
It was revealed back in 2014 that John Calipari was offered a 10-year, $80 million deal to coach the Cleveland Cavaliers. Cal turned it down. Had Cal known then that LeBron James was going to return to the Cavs, he may have taken that job. How often do you get the opportunity to coach the world’s best player?
I personally don’t ever see Cal pursuing a job in the NBA. I think he’s perfectly content coaching some of the best young talent year in and year out at Kentucky. Every year he’s basically coaching several first-round draft picks.
Why Cal will never leave UK for the NBA
And make no mistake, John Calipari have a massive ego. I’m not saying that’s a bad thing, because I think his confidence bleeds into his young teams. That being said, Cal doesn’t want to contend with the egos of professional basketball players. He can happily sit on his throne and not worry about a franchise player knocking him from his perch. Coach Cal is numero uno at the University of Kentucky.
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And money will never be a problem for Coach Cal. Okay, everyone would love more money, but I believe John Calipari when he says he doesn’t need the money. He’s already one of the highest paid coaches in college basketball. The money that most franchises would offer Cal might rival what he’s currently making. Trust me, if an NBA franchise ever came really hard after Cal, Kentucky would find a way to match the salary.
Finally, you have to look at Cal’s age. He’ll be 60 next season. Do you think he wants a bunch of 20-somethings questioning his offensive scheme or a veteran just going through the motions of practice? No way. Of the list of possible coaching candidates, via CBS Sports, only 60-year old Mike Woodson is older than Cal.
I don’t think Big Blue Nation ever has to worry about John Calipari leaving Kentucky for the NBA. When Cal decides to leave UK, he’s going to be leaving the coaching profession all together.