by Charlie O. Mallonee

Multiple sources are reporting that the Sacramento Kings have hired George Karl to be their next head coach. The Sacramento Bee was the first to report the signing. No official announcement is not expected for several days. The NBA All-Star break begins on Thursday.

Yahoo Sports is reporting the contract is for four years and $14.5 million.

If the reports are accurate, Karl’s first game as the Kings coach would most likely be on Friday, February 20 versus the Boston Celtics.

Karl is currently working as an analyst for ESPN. He last coached in “the Association” in the 2012-13 season with the Denver Nuggets. Karl was fired after leading the Nuggets to a record of 57-25 and being named NBA Coach of the Year.

Karl has been a head coach in the NBA since 1984. His coaching stops include Cleveland, Golden State, Seattle, Milwaukee and Denver. Karl’s best finish was when he took the Seattle SuperSonics to the NBA Finals in 1996. Seattle ultimately lost in the finals to the Chicago Bulls led by Michael Jordan in six games.

Karl’s career record as head coach is 1131 wins and 756 losses good for a 59.9-winning percentage. The knock against Karl has been his record in the playoffs. He is 80 – 105 (43.2-win percentage) as a coach in the playoffs.

There had been reports that DeMarcus Cousins camp was showing resistance to the hiring of Karl because of his history of having less than cordial relationships with some players. Cousins vehemently denied the reports.