Not sure if Calapari is just trying to get another raise

[The_Bionic_Pig]

But his agent say's he'll  listen to what the Lakers have to say.

[SONofHAM]

Gotta listen to the Lakers

[RaisinHog]

Are we lucky enough for Cal to jump to the NBA and monk come back home ??

[Arazorbackguy1]

No way.  Monk will go to UK no matter what

[FineAsSwine]

I hope he is serious and decides to make the jump, if the Lakers want him. I would love to watch him get beat up in the Western Conference going against Popovich, Rivers, Kerr and the like. Would be fun listening to him throw the team under the bus at post game pressers after a loss.

[RaisinHog]

No way.  Monk will go to UK no matter what

Lol idk about that but I think the bridge back into Arkansas may have been burned ... And I don't think Cal will leave anyway

[HOGINTENNESSEE]

Lol idk about that but I think the bridge back into Arkansas may have been burned ... And I don't think Cal will leave anyway

Malik wants to play with Fox he wouldn't come here even if bridges weren't burned.

Calipari will leave for the NBA if the price and team are right. Not sure the Lakers are that team

[TrueBlue]

Malik wants to play with Fox he wouldn't come here even if bridges weren't burned.

Calipari will leave for the NBA if the price and team are right. Not sure the Lakers are that team

I am not a Lakers fan by any stretch of the imagination, but if Cal is offered the Lakers gig and he doesn't accept, then he will never go back to the NBA. They have the money, the history, and most importantly for Cal, the spotlight of LA and playing in front of the stars. It is right up his alley.   

[Kevin]

Lakers will probably hire Luke Walton

[The_Bionic_Pig]

Monk & Foxx could care less about what University is on the front of the Jersey.  Their more concerned with a 6 month self-promotion campaign to ascend their NBA Draft stock. 

If Ulis doesn't return their on the path to another 20+ win season and a early NCAA exit.  They will simply out-talent the majority of their opponents.

[Mick Hogger]

I am not a Lakers fan by any stretch of the imagination, but if Cal is offered the Lakers gig and he doesn't accept, then he will never go back to the NBA. They have the money, the history, and most importantly for Cal, the spotlight of LA and playing in front of the stars. It is right up his alley.   

And he'll have Randle, Russell, Clarkson and a lottery pick. And his name could draw in free agents more than Luke Walton.

[HOGINTENNESSEE]

I am not a Lakers fan by any stretch of the imagination, but if Cal is offered the Lakers gig and he doesn't accept, then he will never go back to the NBA. They have the money, the history, and most importantly for Cal, the spotlight of LA and playing in front of the stars. It is right up his alley.   

What they don't have is players currently on the roster they can win with. Some nice pieces but they need some super star talent. Maybe Cal can lure that talent in FA. Maybe he can't

I honestly believe the Cavs if they don't win it all are a more realistic option. Not sure Lue would survive

[ADavisTheGOAT]

What they don't have is players currently on the roster they can win with. Some nice pieces but they need some super star talent. Maybe Cal can lure that talent in FA. Maybe he can't

I honestly believe the Cavs if they don't win it all are a more realistic option. Not sure Lue would survive

If he can pull in all those 5 stars at UK, he sure as hell can pull in some good FAs.

[Nipsey Mussle]

No way.  Monk will go to UK no matter what

Did you ask Monk what he would do if this situation were to occur? Oh, you're guessing.

I'd just be happy for Calipari to be out of our league.

[HOGINTENNESSEE]

If he can pull in all those 5 stars at UK, he sure as hell can pull in some good FAs.

Apples to Oranges. His current pitch is I'll get you to the NBA. Doesn't really work with players already there.

2 pitches work in the NBA. We will give you max money and you can win it all here.

LA does have a lot of cap space but that hasn't really helped them the last 2 off seasons. That was rumored to be because of Kobe. I guess we will find out this off season.

[OnTheHillHogFan]

And he'll have Randle, Russell, Clarkson and a lottery pick. And his name could draw in free agents more than Luke Walton.

Cal won't be as respected around the league as Luke is so I don't agree with that. In the NBA you have to be able to be a good in game coach.

[Foshodo]

cap space. Julius Randle is the weakest of your current big 3. and potential of Ben Simmons to plug in...

Cal would be a fool not to go... as a Lakers fan, i'd hate it... but as a Razorback fan, i want him out

[hawgwileywyatt]

Cal won't be as respected around the league as Luke is so I don't agree with that. In the NBA you have to be able to be a good in game coach.

Ditto.

[Hawg Red]

My take on the two topics in this thread:

1) Malik Monk will not end up at Arkansas due to his own reasoning for going with UK in the first place. (business decision/building a brand). He'll stick with UK or head to another blue blood program where he can be in the national spotlight every game.

2) Calipari is EXACTLY what the Lakers need. Byron Scott was the poplar opposite of what they needed. They need a coach that can develop and deal with that young talent. I see folks saying he wouldn't be respected in the NBA but that does not add up to me considering his time at Memphis and Kentucky. NBA players opted to be coached by the man for a season in college but they wouldn't play for him in the NBA? Wouldn't suspect Archie Goodwin would want to play for him again, but most of the others wouldn't mind it, I'd assume.

[Inhogswetrust]

And he'll have Randle, Russell, Clarkson and a lottery pick. And his name could draw in free agents more than Luke Walton.

High level free agents care more about money and who they play with much moreso than who they play for. As an NBA coach Cal doesn't have the reputation of other top coaches and the top players know it.

[MountieDawg]

CAP SPACE with Kobe gone and the lure of LA to CAL and potential Free Agents could be enough to lure him to LA.  I think they will go with Luke Walton but its the best place Cal has been offered with some Cap Space. 

[hawgwileywyatt]

At this late in the game, who would KY get to replace Cal?

[King Kong]

At this late in the game, who would KY get to replace Cal?

Gregg Marshall.

If Durant left OKC Billy D would probably take it as well. Just my opinion

[poloprince]

Calipari can't coach men, I can't imagine any scenario where he leaves Kentucky for an NBA job.

[onebadrubi]

Luke Walton may very well want nothing to do with LA, it's gen mngr issues, ownership debacle, and roster issues. Keep in mind that locker room isn't the greatest place right now either.

Walton has positioned himself to take a Kerr and golden state type job. He just has to wait for it to open.

[Jackrabbit Hog]

Maybe we'll get lucky and Josh Pastner will be hired to replace Calipari at Kentucky.  Then he can preside over a slow program decline like he did at Memphis following Cal.

[Hawg Red]

Calipari can't coach men, I can't imagine any scenario where he leaves Kentucky for an NBA job.

Then you don't have much of an imagination.

[FineAsSwine]

Maybe we'll get lucky and Josh Pastner will be hired to replace Calipari at Kentucky.  Then he can preside over a slow program decline like he did at Memphis following Cal.

This is the best scenario.   

[husker71]

If you become the Lakers coach you also get Jimmy Buss   maybe the worst NBA owner.  He wanted Byron Scott to coach up the young players while everybody realizes that Scott hates to play young players.  So Laker fans are hoping Jeanie comes back but I cant imagine Cal being her coach of choice.  I would assume Cal would want some more power than just coach and that will not happen with Jeanie and Phil/Mitch

[FineAsSwine]

Luke Walton should be top choice for the Lakers, IMO. Don't know if he wants to take on that rebuild though. Could be a career killer.

[Hawg Red]

Hard reality for the Lakers FO and fans right now is that the job is just not attractive for a number of reasons. Organization has gone to crap since Dr. Jerry died.

[rude1]

Can't see Cal leaving for a rebuild job, only way I can see him leaving is there is an opportunity to take over a ready built contender like Cleveland.

Being a Laker fan I know they are a few years away from coming back from obscurity. Love Kobe but he really set the franchise back by playing past his prime. I see some pointing fingers at the Lakers front office, but how can you build a team when no free agents will come play for you because you have an aging star who won't accept a lesser role or money?

[Hawg Red]

Can't see Cal leaving for a rebuild job, only way I can see him leaving is there is an opportunity to take over a ready built contender like Cleveland.

Being a Laker fan I know they are a few years away from coming back from obscurity. Love Kobe but he really set the franchise back by playing past his prime. I see some pointing fingers at the Lakers front office, but how can you build a team when no free agents will come play for you because you have an aging star who won't accept a lesser role or money?

The front office hired Byron Scott, didn't they? And then waited until Tom Thibadeau had already taken a job to fire Scott. Front office also signed Nick Young to a multi-year contract. They've done a really poor job.

[Großer Kriegschwein]

No way.  Monk will go to UK no matter what

After the last few months, no way he doesn't leave.

He'd get boo'd every game for the one year he'd be here.

[rzrbackramsfan]

After the last few months, no way he doesn't leave.

He'd get boo'd every game for the one year he'd be here.

Nah trust me.  He'd immediately be accepted if he came here. 

Cal... Leave, go to the lakers, it's your calling.  CaLApari.  I know that's not how it's spelled but don't care.  He needs to take this great opportunity to coach a class act organization such as the lakers.  He'll be able to recruit free agents and will have great success in the nba.  Congratulations on your new job calipari.

[Hawg Red]

https://twitter.com/KristineLeahy/status/725016614761037824

Yep, sounds like a front office that has its act together.

[Tusks]

The real question is where does Cal have the most cap space UK or LA ?   

[jry04]

Calipari has already said multiple times to reporters and in interviews that he will not retire at UK. He has said that UK is a dream job for so many coaches, and he does not feel he should hold that position for the rest of his career. Whether that is true, who knows. At what point does he say enough is enough? My guess is he leaves after his next championship, but that is just me. I do not see him staying anymore than 10 years, and if the right opportunity opened up, maybe sooner.

[jry04]

After the last few months, no way he doesn't leave.

He'd get boo'd every game for the one year he'd be here.

While I do not see there being any circumstance that Monk came to Arkansas, your last statement is as silly as it gets. If Monk decided to come here we would sell out nearly every game next season, and Monk would be expected to be one of the greatest Razorbacks ever. The guy is going to be a lottery pick, and one of the top 5-10 players in all of college basketball next season. Fans would quickly get over his decision to pick UK if he decided to come here. All a dream at this point, though.


This whole situation is the very reason I thought it was stupid to sign early. Why commit early to UK when Calipari is rumored for NBA positions every year? Even if he wants to go to UK, I wouldn't sign early not knowing the future of the coach.

[Hogs33]

Lakers have a lot of prestige to their program. It wouldn't surprise me if Cal left or stayed.

[onebadrubi]

The real question is where does Cal have the most cap space UK or LA ?   

Someone gets it!

[rude1]

The front office hired Byron Scott, didn't they? And then waited until Tom Thibadeau had already taken a job to fire Scott. Front office also signed Nick Young to a multi-year contract. They've done a really poor job.

Byron Scott was hired to finish out the Kobe era. The rebuild couldn't start until Kobe was gone, and maybe TT wasn't the coach they are looking for to do the actual rebuild job.

[Hawg Red]

Byron Scott was hired to finish out the Kobe era. The rebuild couldn't start until Kobe was gone, and maybe TT wasn't the coach they are looking for to do the actual rebuild job.

None of that makes any sense as the Lakers never attempted to make the playoffs under Scott and Thibadeau is heading up the next phase for Minnesota and reportedly would have been open to the Laker job. You're telling me they'd hire Byron Scott but not Tom Thibadeau?

The Lakers hired Byron Scott because they have no clue what they're doing. Look at all the coaches they've gone through in the last several years.

[SuperSid4Ever]

The Lakers were run a little differently when Dr. Jerry Buss was alive.  When he passed away, the power of the club was split between his son and his daughter, and it's never been anywhere close to the same as in years gone by.

IMHO, it will most likely take someone buying the franchise to ever right the ship.  The price tag will be astronomical, which tells me that it may be a while before any such sale happens.  Until it does happen, any coach who takes the job would be committing career suicide.  The organization is a total mess.

[SooiecidetillNuttgone]

While I do not see there being any circumstance that Monk came to Arkansas, your last statement is as silly as it gets. If Monk decided to come here we would sell out nearly every game next season, and Monk would be expected to be one of the greatest Razorbacks ever. The guy is going to be a lottery pick, and one of the top 5-10 players in all of college basketball next season. Fans would quickly get over his decision to pick UK if he decided to come here. All a dream at this point, though.


This whole situation is the very reason I thought it was stupid to sign early. Why commit early to UK when Calipari is rumored for NBA positions every year? Even if he wants to go to UK, I wouldn't sign early not knowing the future of the coach.

I think you underestimate the integrity of some fans.
Maybe many "forget".
Maybe even most "forget".
There would be a sizeable segment that wouldn't "forget" how Marcus played the University and state nor how Malik went slinking off to a state rival and in-conference foe.

Nope.  Some things, such as your girlfriend cheating with your worst enemy, aren't things you simply, nor should, "forget".   (Stupid auto-correct)

[ShadowHawg]

If he can pull in all those 5 stars at UK, he sure as hell can pull in some good FAs.

You do know that all the players in the NBA already get paid to play?

That's his thing in recruiting now. He is at a basketball royalty school and promises these kids that they will make more money by going there.

That pitch won't fly with NBA players.

[Hoggish1]

It wouldn't surprise me if Cal left or stayed.

Did you see what you did there...?

[rude1]

None of that makes any sense as the Lakers never attempted to make the playoffs under Scott and Thibadeau is heading up the next phase for Minnesota and reportedly would have been open to the Laker job. You're telling me they'd hire Byron Scott but not Tom Thibadeau?

The Lakers hired Byron Scott because they have no clue what they're doing. Look at all the coaches they've gone through in the last several years.

I guess you aren't understanding that they hired Scott with basically knowing that it was going to be impossible to put a winning squad together until Kobe retired. Scott was a stop gap hire until Kobe retired. Unless you really believe that Thibadeau could have gone there with that roster and won, which I don't.

[Inhogswetrust]

Maybe we'll get lucky and Josh Pastner will be hired to replace Calipari at Kentucky.  Then he can preside over a slow program decline like he did at Memphis following Cal.

I'm sure by the time that happens GT will be willing to pay more to get rid of Pastner than Memphis did.....................I was flabbergasted when GT fell for that.

[Hawg Red]

I guess you aren't understanding that they hired Scott with basically knowing that it was going to be impossible to put a winning squad together until Kobe retired. Scott was a stop gap hire until Kobe retired. Unless you really believe that Thibadeau could have gone there with that roster and won, which I don't.

Thibadeau would have been hired this offseason. You're still not making any sense. What does Kobe retiring have to do with anything? Why even fire the coach before Scott if it didn't essentially matter who the head coach was.