Who Are The Candidates To Replace Mike D’Antoni As Lakers Head Coach?

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

John Calipari

As we mentioned before, the Lakers are going to contact Calipari and Ollie to gauge their interest. On the night before the National Championship between UCONN and Kentucky, rumors broke that the Lakers were very interested in hiring Calipari, and, according to some Kentucky insiders, a deal was done. Well, we know those reports were false; however, Calipari still may end becoming the coach of the Lakers.

Calipari is the most gifted recruiter in college basketball right now and his Kentucky and Memphis tentacles are wide spread throughout the NBA. It wouldn’t be difficult for him to go out and convince John Wall, Eric Bledsoe, DeMarcus Cousins or Anthony Davis to come play for him on the Lakers. He’s also a very well respected X’s and O’s coach and has lead his teams to four of the last seven Final Fours, including three national title games and one championship.

Calipari has already been in the NBA as the head coach of the New Jersey Nets. That situation didn’t end well and Calipari was more or less a bust in the league. However, that was over a decade ago. A lot has changed since then. The Lakers are going to seriously consider Calipari, if he gives them an opening to do so.