Hes not stupid. You’re miss understanding what he is.
What he is, is a guy that doesn’t care. Calipari has said repeatedly He will do whatever he can do help a draft stock. He’s player first, win second. If he thinks he will help this player get to the draft quietly by redshirting, that’s what he’s going to do.
I don't think Cal thought "not playing Sharpe was going to help his draft stock". Sharpe was a lottery pick before he came to UK. He was a lottery pick after he left UK. Sitting Sharpe on the bench did not "help his draft stock".
JMO, Cal got hustled. He bought the idea of Sharpe's handler saying he would for sure return for 2022-23 and "lead the program". You are absolutely correct in saying that Cal will do whatever he has to do to help players get into the NBA. However, I don't think his intention is to do that at the expense of the program. If he thought a player's decision damages the program, he would advise against it.
Cal should have seen through the smoke on Sharpe. He should have prevented the program from taking a black eye from this. But, I think he got hustled believing in the kid, the kid's parents, and the handler. That **** is on the Sharpe camp. If it happens again, that is on CAL.