John Calipari says contact with Los Angeles Lakers has not taken place

By Josh Hill | Apr 14, 2014

Apr 5, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari reacts on the sideline against the Wisconsin Badgers in the first half during the semifinals of the Final Four in the 2014 NCAA Mens Division I Championship tournament at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

Just before the Kentucky Wildcats tipped off their ill-fated national championship game against the UConn Huskies earlier this month, a report surfaced thanks to quotes from former Kentucky player Rex Chapman that stated no matter the outcome of the game, head coach John Calipari would be joining the Lakers in 2014-15.

So far, the rumors have swelled but the truth is nowhere to be found — until now. Appearing on The Dan Patrick Show Monday morning, Calipari cleared the air on the Lakers rumors by saying he’s had zero contact with the team and doesn’t know who Rex Chapman is.

John Calipari tells @dpshow there has been no contact with the Lakers.
— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) April 14, 2014

That sounds like shots fired in a feud no one cares about. Whether Chapman had said anything or not, or even if he was just thinking about loud and got taken out of context, the discussion of Calipari jumping back to the NBA was going to be had regardless.

This is just a little something to deflect from the real debate which is how the one-and-done rule can help a coach secure an NBA gig as much as it can an underclassman player.

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