The Kings are engaged in intense conversations with George Karl about their head coaching position, according to multiple media outlets.
Heading into Saturday night’s game against the Jazz, the Kings had lost 10 of their past 11 games and 18-of-24 since firing coach Michael Malone on Dec. 14. If Karl, 63, were hired, he would replace interim head coach Tyrone Corbin.
The Kings are concerned that Karl, who ranks sixth among NBA coaches with 1,131 career victories, could get interest from the Magic for its coaching opening, Yahoo Sports reported Saturday.
“It’s no secret I would love the opportunity to coach one more time. Love the skills and speed of the Magic and the great young players in the league,” Karl tweeted Friday.
Karl and Kings general manager Pete D’Alessandro worked together with the Nuggets, whom Karl coached from 2004-13.
D’Alessandro traveled to Denver to talk with Karl recently and “is clearly determined to get this deal done,” USA Today reported. The Nuggets fired Karl after he was named NBA coach of the year following the 2012-13 season.
Paul fined $25,000 for disparaging ref. Clippers guard Chris Paul was fined $25,000 by the NBA for criticizing a female official after a game at Cleveland.
Paul was given a technical foul by rookie referee Lauren Holtkamp on Thursday night in the third quarter of a 105-94 loss to the Cavaliers, a game that featured five technical fouls against the Clippers.
After the game, Paul called the technical foul on an inbounds play “ridiculous” and said “this might not be for her.” Holtkamp is one of two female officials in the NBA.
Perkins hit with one-game suspension. Thunder center Kendrick Perkins was suspended for one game without pay for initiating and making head-to-head contact with Pelicans guard Tyreke Evans during Friday night’s game. Perkins will miss Sunday’s against the Clippers.
