NBA Rumors: John Calipari Shoots Down Sacramento Kings

As far as the Sacramento Kings are concerned, there are no plans of replacing George Karl at the head coaching helm.

Rumors about Karl possibly on his way out has suddenly come out in the open after the long-time NBA coach had hinted of possibly moving star DeMarcus Cousins.

Team owner Vivek Ranadive would not have any of it, making it clear that Cousins is untouchable. However, the thought of firing Karl did cross his mind.

"He's brought up the possibility of getting rid of George over the last few days," a  source said.

Karl was hired just recently but his apparent rift with Cousins has now become a potential reason for the Kings to find a new head coach.

It was just this February that Karl was hired to take on the head coaching duties for the Kings. Karl signed a four-year deal worth $14.5 million, with the final year being a non-guaranteed $1.5 million buyout. He is guaranteed $11 million.

Karl and Cousins have reportedly been at odds and have not spoken in months. Such a conflict thus led to rumors that the Kings could be looking to replace Karl and the first name on the list was John Calipari.

For the 100th time, I have the best basketball coaching position in the world. I am not looking for any other coaching position.

— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) June 30, 2015

The current Kentucky coach made it clear via Twitter however that he is not headed anywhere and that the only things he discussed with the Kings owner were more about the recently concluded NBA Draft and about Cousins. Cousins played one year for Kentucky under Calipari (2009-2010).

.@Vivek has asked me what I thought about @boogiecousins and I told him he would be an all-star, and I was right. — John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) June 30, 2015

Further to that, Calipari made it clear that he at no time was offered the head coaching job.

At no time has @Vivek offered me a job. I WILL BE AT KENTUCKY.

— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) June 30, 2015

On cue, Sacramento Kings’ vice president for basketball and franchise operations Vlade Divac shot down those rumors as well.

"The only person in our organization who [handles] something like this is me, and I've had zero conversations with John Calipari. We have a coach here."

DeMarcus Cousins has been the target of some teams ever since word of Karl’s plans to trade him came out. The teams which had expressed interest in Cousins include the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Hearing about Calipari linked to an NBA coaching job is nothing new. Last year, Calipari was offered an eight-year deal to coach the Cleveland Cavaliers estimated to be about $60 million, just before Lebron James returned to his hometown.

Calipari holds an impressive 190-37 record for Kentucky which includes one national title and four Final Four appearances. He signed a $54 million deal extension last year to stay on with the University of Kentucky.