Despite signing an extension worth $8 million, John Calipari may still have that NBA itch. It helps when a former star player is staring you in the face.
Nola.com is reporting that the Kentucky head coach has expressed an interest in the New Orleans Pelicans job.
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.
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.
Calipari has made it clear on several occasions that he has the best job in basketball. Cal coached Anthony Davis to a 2012 National title.
The Western Conference is not the SEC though.