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John Calipari Denies New Orleans Pelicans Interest

By Maxwell Ogden

Apr 4, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari during a press conference after the blame against the Wisconsin Badgers in the 2015 NCAA Men
Apr 4, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari during a press conference after the blame against the Wisconsin Badgers in the 2015 NCAA Men /
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Despite improving the win total by 11 games and reaching the NBA Playoffs for the first time since 2010-11, the New Orleans Pelicans fired head coach Monty Williams. It was a widely unpopular move.

Nevertheless, the show must go on.

According to John Reid of The Times Picayune, a big name has thrown his name in the hat: current Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari.

"Given the opportunity to reunite with star forward Anthony Davis, Kentucky coach John Calipari has made it known to New Orleans Pelicans officials that he’s interested in the team’s vacant head-coaching job, a source close to Calipari said Tuesday.There have been exploratory conversations between Calipari and the Pelicans, the source said, but it doesn’t appear the team would be willing to meet his financial demands to leave Kentucky."

That last part is key.

"League sources said the Pelicans are willing to pay around $4 million to $5 million per season for Monty Williams’ successor. Williams was fired last week after five seasons at the helm.But Calipari makes about $8 million annually and recently agreed to a one-year contract extension through 2022, which he hasn’t yet signed. The $3 million gap in annual compensation is a major sticking point for Calipari, who would also want input on the Pelicans’ roster, according to the source."

That’s huge news. According to the man himself, it’s also untrue.

So much for all of that.

Calipari has an extensive history with current Pelicans players Anthony Davis and Tyreke Evans. Calipari coached Davis to a National Title and a slew of National Player of the Year awards in 2012, while Evans reached the Sweet Sixteen with Coach Cal and the Memphis Tigers in 2009.

Davis and Evans were the Pelicans’ Top 2 scorers in 2014-15.

Given the past and the glorious nature of it, it stands to reason that Calipari would want to reunite with his former prodigies. It makes just as much sense for Davis and Evans to desire a reunion.

Whether unfortunate or otherwise, it doesn’t appear to be in the works.

At Kentucky, Calipari is making roughly $8 million per season.  For perspective, the NBA community balked at the Golden State Warriors paying Steve Kerr an average of $5 million per season.

More importantly, only three NBA coaches currently make more than Calipari does at Kentucky: Gregg Popovich, Doc Rivers and Flip Saunders.

That financial difference could be what’s keeping Calipari and the Pelicans apart. Job security likely plays a bigger role.

Calipari is under contract in Lexington through 2022. It’s also possible that he’s excited to land another star-studded recruiting class..

Calipari and the Wildcats landed the No. 1 point guard, Isaiah Briscoe, and No. 1 center, Skal Labissiere, for 2015. It also has Charles Matthews, a star shooting guard from the basketball haven of Chicago.

Contending for a title is both a possibility and an expectation in 2015-16.

Davis is a legitimate NBA superstar and Evans is well-rounded statistically, but that doesn’t appear to have peaked Calipari’s interest. For New Orleans, that doesn’t necessarily mean losing the franchise players.

Davis won’t be a restricted free agent until 2016-17 and could sign a massive long-term deal after that. Evans is under contract through 2016-17, as well.

The question is, who will be their coach? According to Calipari himself, it won’t be him.

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