The first word out when Sacramento unexpectedly fired coach Mike Malone — for a mistake of the owner — was that former Jazz head man Tyrone Corbin would hold the interim title for the remainder of the year.
Then the rumor mill cranked up, most of it fueled by what majority owner Vivek Ranadive would want. The first name PBT heard was the up-tempo stylings of George Karl, who has a relationship with current GM Pete D’Alessandro from their time in Denver. However we also heard the guy who really has Ranadive’s ear is Chris Mullin, who is the former Golden State GM and advisor to the Kings. Then came the rumor Mullin could essentially write his own ticket.
Well, whatever ticket he writes is not going to come in the middle of this season, reports Chris Broussard of ESPN.
Sources: Chris Mullin won't coach Kings this yr. IF he coaches them, it would be at start of next season. Corbin likely 2 remain all season
— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) December 16, 2014
Sam Amick of the USA Today echoed that.
As @Chris_Broussard noted, I'm told Tyrone Corbin would have to fall on his face to not make it to end of season w/ Kings. Karl not in plans
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) December 16, 2014
Chris Mullin will be more involved with the team in practices, planning etc., but no current plans to coach Kings. Will try to aid offense.
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) December 16, 2014
So, Mullin wants to get a feel what it’s like to be a coach but he’s not going to jump in with both feet yet.
Which frankly is smart. Bottom line, you can’t come in after training camp and try to radically change the system using players that don’t fit it. Ask Mike D’Antoni how that goes. Better to sit out this season then jump in with a training camp to put in what you want to do — this applies to both Mullin and Karl.
But it sounds like Mullin gets to make the call on what he wants. Coach? GM? Same role he has now? It’s his call.