Report: Kings interested in former Nuggets coach George Karl

The Sacramento Kings are reportedly interested in former Denver Nuggets coach George Karl.

The Sacramento Kings are interested in former Denver Nuggets coach George Karl, reports ESPN.

The Kings announced on Monday that they fired head coach Mike Malone, with assistant coach Tyrone Corbin assuming head coaching responsibilities. Sacramento is currently 11-13 and in fourth place in the Pacific Division.   

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From the report: 

NBA coaching sources have identified ESPN analyst George Karl as a serious target of the Kings to replace Malone in the long term, thanks in part to his association with Sacramento general manager Pete D'Alessandro from their days working together in Denver.

"I'm humbled," Karl told SiriusXM radio. "If they're interested in me, I'm interested in them."

Karl coached the Denver Nuggets from 2005 to 2013 before being fired. He had a 423-257 record while in Denver and the Nuggets reached the playoffs in all nine of his seasons. He was named NBA Coach of the Year following the 2012-13 season.

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The 63-year-old previously served as a head coach for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, Seattle SuperSonics and Milwaukee Bucks. 

ESPN reports that ex-Warriors coach Mark Jackson and former Clippers and Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro are also early candidates. 

The Kings host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday. 

- Molly Geary