George Karl appears to be the leading candidate for the Kings' coaching vacancy, despite the team's recent discussions with Mark Jackson, according to ProBasketballTalk.
Unnamed sources told ProBasketballTalk that the Kings are seriously considering Karl to take over as head coach if the price is right. The reported asking price for Karl is around $5 million per year or more, which has hindered the Kings from making a decision.
MORE: Potential Kings coach replacements | Malone 'surprised' by firing
Sacramento surprised many in the NBA when it brusquely fired Mike Malone on Dec. 14. The Kings got off to a hot start, but hit a dry spell when star center DeMarcus Cousins came down with viral meningitis. With Cousins no longer available, the team went on to lose seven of nine games before Malone was fired.
Despite meeting with Jackson at Sleep Train Arena after he called the Kings' game against the Bucks on Thursday, ProBasketballTalk reports he is not a legitimate contender. The meeting was helpful for both former coaches, as it sent a message to Karl at the negotiating and kept Jackson's name floating in coaching circles, as ProBasketballTalk noted.
Karl most recently was the Nuggets head coach from 2005-2013. He led the Nuggets to 57 wins in 2012-13 before he received Coach of the Year and was fired in the same season. He also coached the Bucks, the Sonics, the Warriors and the Cavaliers.