Cleveland Cavs’ negotiations with John Calipari preceded hiring of David Griffin
By Chris Walder
Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari was the apple of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ eye as the team offered him the position of president and coach. The potential deal would have paid the 55-year-old more than $60 million over seven seasons.
More from Cleveland Cavaliers
- NBA insider: Cavaliers should consider trading Donovan Mitchell
- Predicting NBA’s Christmas Day Schedule: Lakers, Warriors highlight slate of postseason rematches
- NBA Rumors: 3 teams that should trade for Joel Embiid
- NBA rumors: How Donovan Mitchell could wind up on the trading block
- The new NBA flopping rules explained
Not bad for a guy with a very weak track record coaching on the pro level. He was on the sidelines for the New Jersey Nets from 1996 to 1998-99, garnering a record of 72-112.
Even so, his success with the Wildcats made him a hot commodity.
Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal said in an interview that current Cavs GM David Griffin had no idea that there were discussions with Calipari. That has a lot to do with that entire process taking place before Griffin was even given the job, according to Joe Lull of 92.3 The Fan (via James Herbert of CBS Sports):
"The Cleveland Cavaliers pursuit of Kentucky’s John Calipari preceded their hiring of a general manager last month, according to high-ranking league sources.…Contrary to reports, the Cavaliers’ courtship of Calipari never reached a point where an actual offer was on the table. According to sources with intimate knowledge of the situation, Calipari joining the Cavaliers “had zero chance of happening as of three weeks ago.”…While Gilbert did pursue Calipari in the weeks before Griffin’s hiring, there have been no discussions in recent weeks about bringing in a team president, nor has Gilbert conducted a clandestine coaching search behind the back of his general manager."
The Cavaliers are still searching for a new head coach. Mark Price, Adrian Griffin, Vinny Del Negro, Tyronn Lue and Alvin Gentry all in the running.