Report: Kings in ‘intense conversations’ with George Karl about becoming head coach

The Kings have won just once in their last 10 games, and though the team signed head coach Tyrone Corbin for the remainder of the season after firing Mike Malone in mid-December, it appears as though they may look to make a change sooner rather than later.

That shrinks the list of available candidates considerably, because without seeing who gets cut loose at the end of the season, and without having access to any of the league’s top assistants, the field is limited to those who are experienced but out-of-work currently, and open to taking on a midseason project.

George Karl is one name that’s surfaced, most recently in regard to the situation with the Magic. But it appears as though Sacramento may be making a move to lock him up, with perhaps an All-Star break installation on the horizon.

From Ailene Voisin of The Sacramento Bee:

The Kings are engaged in intense conversations with George Karl about their head coaching position, multiple sources have told The Bee.

Assistant Tyrone Corbin replaced Michael Malone on Dec. 14 after the Kings faltered to a 2-8 record during DeMarcus Cousins’ absence due to viral meningitis. The plan was to have Corbin complete the season, conduct an extensive coaching search, and give the incoming coach the benefit of an entire offseason and training camp. ...

But the Kings’ ongoing slump – and jarring absence of competitiveness – has prompted principal owner Vivek Ranadive and his front office, headed by general manager Pete D’Alessandro, to move more quickly.

From Sam Amick of USA Today:

But questions remain about whether the recent progress on their talks will result in Karl’s hiring. One person who is involved in the process described the situation as “not in the red zone just yet” but said it had recently advanced.

The Kings made a huge mistake by firing Malone in the first place -- he had the team playing to its strength, defending well, and (perhaps most importantly in Sacramento) had the ear and the effort of DeMarcus Cousins.

Cousins has slipped considerably since then, and so have the Kings.

The franchise parted ways with Malone under the guise of wanting to play a more uptempo style. If that truly is what ownership is looking for, Karl is the right man for the job -- whether or not the roster is constructed in a way that the team can be successful doing so, however, is another matter entirely.

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