Wizards fans are all asking for Randy Wittman to lose his job once the season ends, but there didn’t seem to be any candidates that would be good enough to take the job. Then, news was reported that John Calipari may be interested in making a return to the NBA as a head coach.
Calipari has only had one stint as an NBA head coach in his career from 1996-1999 with the New Jersey Nets. His record with the Nets was 72-112, which is a winning percentage of 39.1%. After his tenure with the Nets ended, he was an assistant coach for the Philadelphia 76ers for a year before being hired as the head coach of Memphis.
Calipari previously coached John Wall at Kentucky from 2009-2010, when Wall was named SEC player of the year, and NCAA co-freshman of the year. It’s always important for the head coach and star player to have a good connection, and that is exactly what Wall and Calipari already have. Wall and Calipari would see eye to eye, and potentially create a combination that would be deadly for years to come.
Demarcus Cousins may not have his contract expire for another four years, but if Calipari were to make an NBA return, it would not be a surprise to see Cousins want to play for him before his contract were to end. Cousins also player for Calipari at Kentucky from 2009-2010, when he and Wall led Kentucky to the Elite 8. Reuniting the trio of Wall, Cousins, and Calipari would create a team with a lot of chemistry already, and give an opportunity for two players to reunite with their college coach.
The most successful part of Calipari’s coaching career in college has been his ability to recruit players to come and play for him. If he were to come and coach a team that is becoming an attractive destination for free agents, he may be able to create a Kentucky-like team in the NBA.
If Calipari would to become the head coach of Washington, the Wizards would likely draft a player out of Kentucky if possible, attempt to trade for Demarcus Cousins if possible, and maybe even reunite some former Kentucky players with their coach. Calipari coming to the Wizards would bring a lot of potential to Washington, and would give them a real chance to compete to a title.
The time for Calipari to make a return is now, and the place he may fit best with may be in DC. Both parties would highly benefit from this combination, and both would enjoy a great deal of success. Wittman’s time in Washington seems to be coming to a close, and Calipari may be slipping into the NBA at just the right time.
