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
With rumors swirling around the Internet about the possibility of John Calipari taking over as Lakers head coach, Mitch Kupchak has apparently refuted those claims.
Lakers are refuting Calipari to Lakers story put out by Rex Chapman before NCAA tip: GM Mitch Kupchak says "rumor is untrue"
— Chris Dufresne (@DufRankman) April 8, 2014
Rex Chapman tweeted earlier in the day that John Calipari was headed to the Lakers, win or lose in tonight’s championship game. Calipari is among one of college basketball’s hottest head coaches and his hiring in LA would certainly make a statement.
The Lakers, however, haven’t even made a decision on whether to keep incumbent Mike D’Antoni or not. D’Antoni’s contract is set to expire after next season. But with a summer of change and a season of immense disappointment in the rear view mirror, one has to wonder if D’Antoni’s days are numbered.
Kupchak’s denial of talks with Calipari is a stock answer, and one he would give no matter if the Lakers were pursuing the Kentucky head man or not. But the closer we get to the off-season, the more rumors will be circulating.
Lakers spokesman John Black on Rex Chapman's Calipari report: "I spoke to (GM) mitch (Kupchak) and he said there is no truth to it..."
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) April 8, 2014
Black: "Mike (D'Antoni) is our coach & there have been no conversations that have discussed any specific names about anyone to replace him."
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) April 8, 2014