NBA Rumors: New York Knicks reached out to John Calipari

Apr 6, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari speaks at a press conference during practice before the championship game of the Final Four in the 2014 NCAA Mens Division I Championship tournament at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

On Monday night, Kentucky Wildcats’ head coach John Calipari had to shoot down rumors that he would be leaving Kentucky to take over as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers.

That’s probably not what Calipari wanted to do after his team suffered a 60-54 loss to the Connecticut Huskies in the National Championship, but with his track record, those questions have to be asked.

Calipari may not be taking a job with the Lakers, who are reportedly leaning towards bringing Mike D’Antoni back next season, but another franchise has reached out to Calipari, according to Ian Begley of ESPN New York.

"In January, the Knicks, via a third party, reached out to Calipari to gauge his interest in coaching the Knicks next season, a league source familiar with the scenario told ESPN New York.At the time, Calipari was under heavy fire because Kentucky was underperforming.The league source says Calipari was intrigued by the possibility of coaching Carmelo Anthony. Both Anthony and Calipari, it should be noted, are represented by Creative Artists Agency.The conversations never went any further than a feeling out by a third party. In other words, nothing serious."

Even though Calipari will likely remain with Kentucky, the Knicks will probably wind up landing a big name.

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