The name of John Calipari is once again in the air and this time he is being linked to the Sacramento Kings.
Calipari was rumored to be taking over from current head coach George Karl in the light of the long-time coach's desire to move resident star DeMarcus Cousins. Apparently team owner Vivek Ranadive respects Karl's powers but moving Cousins was a red flag. In no way does he plan to trade Cousins.
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 (@UKCoachCalipari) June 30, 2015 " data-caption="null" data-credit="null">Calipari did admit that he and Ranadive were in discussions but most of it was about the recently concluded NBA Draft and DeMarcus Cousins. As far as being offered the head coaching position, Calipari clarified that at no time was offered the said position.
At no time has @Vivek offered me a job. I WILL BE AT KENTUCKY.
— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) June 30, 2015 " data-caption="null" data-credit="null">Karl, who joined the Kings just last February in lieu of Michael Malone, has not exactly hit it well with the Kings' resident star. Both have reportedly not spoken for months and with word that Cousins could be traded, teams like the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics have been knocking on the door.
Ranadive even went as far as saying that he considered firing Karl because of his plans and apparently such is the reason why Calipari has been closely linked to the Kings.
Vlade Divac, a former player for the club who is now the vice president of basketball and franchise operations has shot down the rumors as well.
"The only person in our organization who [handles] something like this is me, and I've had zero conversations with John Calipari. We have a coach here," Divac was quoted as saying via Yahoo Sports.
Calipari is no stranger to Cousins as well. Both were together during the 2009-10 season and had the rumors been true, it would have somehow knocked off any rumored plans of Cousins to consider moving to another ballclub.
But now the question in the air is what lies ahead for Karl? Will he stay on with the Kings as head coach? If so, how can he mend broken ties with DeMarcus Cousins?
