Report: Kentucky's Calipari open to NBA return

Kentucky head coach John Calipari is open to an NBA return, sources told Yahoo Sports' Ben Rohrbach and Vincent Goodwill.

The 62-year-old had a less-than-memorable first run in the Association, going just 72-112 in three seasons as the then-New Jersey Nets' bench boss during the late 90s.

Calipari also spent the 1999-2000 campaign with the Philadelphia 76ers as an assistant under Hall of Fame head coach Larry Brown.

"He may have maxed out at Kentucky," a high-ranking executive told Rohrbach and Goodwill.

Calipari has captured one national championship in five Final Four appearances since returning to the NCAA in 2000.

The three-time Naismith Coach of the Year has guided the Wildcats to a dominant 339-93 mark over his 12-year tenure, including six SEC regular-season titles and six SEC Tournament championships.

Calipari remains one of college basketball's top recruiters. Numerous players have achieved great success in the NBA after a year under his tutelage, including Anthony Davis, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Devin Booker.

Calipari inked a lifetime contract with Kentucky in April 2019, which reportedly included a 10-year contract extension as head coach.