The Boston Celtics’ post-All-Star break schedule likely just got a little tougher.
George Karl will become head coach of the Sacramento Kings starting with the first game after the midseason break, a person familiar with negotiations between the coach and the team told The Associated Press on Wednesday. Karl’s first game on the bench for Sacramento would be Feb. 20 against the Celtics.
Karl’s arrival in Sacramento will be delayed due to the North Carolina alum attending funeral services for former Tar Heels coach Dean Smith this week.
The Kings (18-33) have been led by the underwhelming Tyrone Corbin since they abruptly fired the highly-regarded Michael Malone in December. The Kings were 11-13 at the time of Malone’s firing, which came while star center DeMarcus Cousins battled an illness.
Karl, 63, is the reigning NBA Coach of the Year, in a way. He won the award for the 2012-13 season with the Denver Nuggets, but was not brought back after leading the Nuggets to 57 wins. He did not coach last season.
Although Karl might lack familiarity with the Kings’ players, he is no stranger to turning around struggling teams. He is one of seven NBA coaches with 1,000 wins and led the Nuggets to the playoffs in all nine of his seasons in Denver. He also worked under current Sacramento general manager Pete D’Alessandro with the Nuggets before both parted ways with the organization in the summer of 2013.
Thumbnail photo via Kyle Terada/USA TODAY Sports Images
