It's been three weeks since the Sacramento Kings abruptly fired Mike Malone, and they still don't have a replacement. Tyrone Corbin, who stepped into the vacancy left by Malone, signed to coach the Kings for the rest of the season on Dec. 30, leaving many under the impression that a more permanent hire would have to wait. But Kings fans shouldn't count out George Karl just yet.
Kings still considering George Karl as head coach
George Karl might get hired as the Sacramento Kings head coach after all, the former NBA coach “remains near the top of the list.”
Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
“The former NBA head coach and current ESPN analyst remains near the top of the list” of Kings coaching candidates, according to Ailene Voisin of the Sacramento Bee.
Voisin reports that some Kings owners wanted to offer Karl the job the day Malone was fired, but that general manager Pete D’Alessandro is turning every stone in order to make the perfect hire. It’s a process that is taking too long. Viosin writes: “D’Alessandro is so intent on making the perfect hire -- so fearful of making a mistake -- that he is digging around like a CIA agent, thinking too hard and anticipating the worst.
The Kings, meanwhile, have continued to sputter after a torrid 5-1 start to the season. Malone was fired after a loss to the Detroit Pistons that left Sacramento 11-13. Under Corbin, the Kings are 3-6.
While Corbin signed an extension through the end of the year, Karl could still be hired to take his place.
Karl is one of the winningest coaches in NBA history. He’s won 1,131 games and lost 756 over 25 seasons in the NBA. His teams made the playoffs in 22 of those seasons and he led the Seattle Super Sonics to the 1996 NBA Finals.
Teaming DeMarcus Cousins with one of the top coaches in the league adds even more intrigue to a possible Karl hiring.
For now, it’s a waiting game. D’Allessandro has to finish his search, but George Karl still looks to be the frontrunner.
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