This move comes as no surprise, but the coaching carousel in Sacramento has now named their next victim: George Karl. One of the winningest coaches in NBA history leaves the team after being hired during the 2015 All-Star break to replace then-interim coach Tyrone Corbin and becomes the ninth coach to get the axe from the organization since 2006-07.
Kings general manager Vlade Divac couldn’t wait to push the green button on this and has been an advocate for Karl’s firing since February. At the time, minority owners blocked it from happening, but he pushed for it again to end the season after the two sides not seeing eye to eye.
Karl was also involved in a public feud with their star center DeMarcus Cousins, with the season starting in complete chaos after adding Rajon Rondo to the mix.
With the team moving into a new arena next season, they are desperate to turn things around. Sacramento finished the season with a 33-49 record and missed the playoffs for their 10th consecutive year.
As of now, the shortlist to replace Karl includes Kevin McHale, Mark Jackson, Vinny Del Negro and Nate McMillan. They are also looking at Tom Thibodeau and Scott Brooks, but those two names will be harder to acquire, considering there will be more teams chasing them.
[Source]