George Karl and the Sacramento Kings are finalizing a four-year, $15 million deal that will become official after the All-Star break this weekend.
Karl, currently serving as an ESPN basketball analyst, did not comment on the move. He was attending a funeral service for former North Carolina head coach Dean Smith Thursday.
The Kings went 7-21 under interim coach Tyrone Corbin. He replaced Mike Malone in December.
Karl, who has survived multiple bouts with cancer, last coached in 2012-13. He was the NBA Coach of the Year that season and is currently sixth in league history with 1,131 victories.
Critical to the Kings’ success is extracting consistent play from center DeMarcus Cousins, who had a close relationship with Malone and was never on board with Corbin. According to reports, Corbin was informed this week would be his last with the Kings.
He said Tuesday after a 104-86 loss at Chicago that the Kings were doing their best.
“All of (us) got thrown into this. To the best of our ability, we try to get it done. Work with what we have and try to leave the least amount of excuses possible,” Cousins said.
Karl has coached the Cavaliers, Sonics, Warriors, Bucks and Nuggets.