Just for fun- any weird guesses who might wind up at Kentucky should Calipari leave?

I think this is just a recruiting ploy. Calipari, who by nearly all accounts is a first class idiot as a human being, has build a machine in Lexington and people are trying to figure out ways to undermine it. I don't think he is going to go back to the pros. I think he is going to have a long, successful run at the University of Kentucky.

I don't see him getting more money in the NBA but i would guess he jumps someday before retiring. I would probably stick around UK for 4-5 more years than jump to the NBA for another try before hitting the beach.

He will go back to the NBA at some point - his ego won't allow his only failure (the Nets) to go without a correction. I don't think he will go this year - he wants to put several NCAA championships up first.

From where I'm standing, he's already coaching an NBDL team in all ways except official recognition. There's even a payroll.

I think he wants to stay at Kentucky for the long-term.

However, if he were to leave, the Chicago Bulls job could very well be open this year (entirely due to the inability of the Bulls front office to have normal relations with its coaches, as this is an organization that sided with Jerry Krause over Phil Jackson back in the day) and, at least on paper, that's a great position: marquee large market franchise, excellent team that can win immediately, and home of a top former Cal player with Derrick Rose. Granted, if the Bulls organization can't handle the ego of Tom Thibodeau, I doubt that it can handle Calipari... which means that the Bulls will hire someone vastly inferior like Fred Hoiberg. (Yes, I'm a cynical Bulls fan.)

(03-26-2015 01:39 PM)Frank the Tank Wrote:  I think he wants to stay at Kentucky for the long-term.

However, if he were to leave, the Chicago Bulls job could very well be open this year (entirely due to the inability of the Bulls front office to have normal relations with its coaches, as this is an organization that sided with Jerry Krause over Phil Jackson back in the day) and, at least on paper, that's a great position: marquee large market franchise, excellent team that can win immediately, and home of a top former Cal player with Derrick Rose. Granted, if the Bulls organization can't handle the ego of Tom Thibodeau, I doubt that it can handle Calipari... which means that the Bulls will hire someone vastly inferior like Fred Hoiberg. (Yes, I'm a cynical Bulls fan.)

The One thing that could lead Cal back to the NBA would be for Him to have a hand on issues of Whom to bring in with Trades, Draft choices and development of players. He has tons of knowledge on players and strong bonds with many of Them that previously He didn't have. If He can be brought into a big part of decision making, I say he is as good as gone. Chicago could be a perfect fit for Him with that situation.

Cal himself said when he was hired he wouldn't be there for 10 years. He's on year 6 now if I'm not mistaken. No, Cal does not want to be there long term.

Lakers.

I think it's likely that Calipari leaves this time. You can't top 40-0 and a national championship.

"One NBA front office official" says that Calipari is desperate to return to the NBA. But the NFOO isn't quoted as saying that Calipari wants the Nets.
http://www.northjersey.com/sports/basket...-1.1294851
The article does lay out the reasons the Nets make sense--NYC, still-new arena, tons of cap space coming up, a franchise and an owner desperate/bold enough to hand Calipari total control and $10M a year. Calipari's relationships with half of the NBA players is a factor wherever he goes.

Well, if Call is seriously considering leaving this time, UK better watch out!

Deep down Cal has to regret not taking the Cleveland job and the $80 Million Guarantee last year....little did he know the Cavaliers was about to bring back the Best Player in the World LeBron James...

As a consolation, he may get to be the coach of the greatest team in college basketball history.

(03-28-2015 10:58 AM)_C2_ Wrote:  As a consolation, he may get to be the coach of the greatest team in college basketball history.

True...but $80 Million in your pocket...Coaching LeBron, K-Love & Kyrie and the likely NBA Championship Favorites...would join his mentor Larry Brown as Coaches with both a NBA & NCAA Title..

^

But he wouldn't have an ABA title.

(03-28-2015 02:00 PM)_C2_ Wrote:  ^

But he wouldn't have an ABA title.

Well played...