Mark Pope delivered the quote with a grin — but it immediately grabbed the attention of Big Blue Nation.
When discussing the possibility of adding a general manager or roster management executive to Kentucky’s basketball program, Pope joked about his ideal hire:
“What I’m looking for is the guy that can get me all the best players for $0.
No, Kentucky isn’t actually slashing its payroll to nothing. But the humor highlights a very real focus for the Wildcats: maximizing talent while managing costs in an era dominated by NIL deals and transfer portal bidding wars.
The GM Conversation Is Real
Programs across college basketball are reshaping their front offices. Auburn is reportedly targeting a GM hire ahead of the April 7 portal window. Indiana recently hired Pacers senior VP of player personnel Ryan Carr as its executive director of basketball.
Kentucky is exploring similar options.
“Yeah, that’s been an ongoing conversation for us,” Pope said during his weekly radio show. “We’ve had a lot of conversations trying to find exactly the space that will work best for us.”
He acknowledged that the results have been mixed nationwide. Some schools have thrived with a GM-style structure.
Others are still figuring it out.
“That is certainly a direction that some teams have gone with, with really incredibly varied levels of success,” Pope added. “So we’re probably having conversations about it on a weekly basis.”
It’s Not About the Title — It’s About Value
Whether the position ends up being called general manager, executive director, or something else entirely, the goal is clear: find someone who can build a championship-level roster without overspending.
Kentucky reportedly operated around a $22 million roster figure. The objective now isn’t necessarily to cut that number — it’s to ensure every dollar delivers maximum impact.
Pope even joked that former teammates have volunteered for the role.
“I’ve had several former teammates say that’s exactly what they can do,” he said. “I don’t know if I trust them, but it’s a part of the process.
A Critical Offseason Ahead
With the transfer portal opening in just over a month, decisions are looming. As Pope enters Year Three in Lexington, this offseason could define the next phase of Kentucky basketball.
The Wildcats aren’t just recruiting players anymore — they’re managing assets, evaluating market value, balancing NIL strategy, and building long-term sustainability.
Pope’s “$0 roster” line may have been playful, but the bigger message is serious: Kentucky wants to win — and win smart.
And if someone truly figures out how to bring elite talent to Lexington without draining the budget?
That might be the most valuable addition of all.
