Vivek Ranadive, owner of the Sacramento Kings, is reportedly fed up with head coach George Karl working behind the scenes to get rid of All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins.
Sources say Vivek Ranadive is frustrated w/ DMC/Karl rift because Karl said when hired he would not be involved in personnel
— Jason Jones (@mr_jasonjones) June 25, 2015
What's done in the dark comes to the light …💯
— DeMarcus Cousins (@boogiecousins) June 25, 2015
Karl and Cousins’ relationship is seen by many as non-salvageable, and Karl could soon find himself in need of a new job.
The 64-year-old journeyman coach inked a four-year deal worth a reported $14.5 million last February.
Per ESPN:
Sacramento Kings owner Vivek Ranadive has considered firing George Karl, who was hired as coach four months ago to help turn around the struggling franchise. […] Ranadive’s displeasure with Karl stems from the coach’s desire to trade All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins, according to sources with knowledge of the situation.
No potential replacement for Karl has been mentioned or considered, and while removing Karl would appease Cousins, it would not necessarily end the dysfunction that is crippling the franchise, sources said. […] “If you fire Karl, now you can’t control Cousins because he’ll know he’s running the place,” a source said. “Now he’ll feel like he’s telling you what to do.”
A huge fan of Cousins, Ranadive has been steadfast in refusing to grant Karl’s wish, but Karl’s attempts to have Cousins moved have worsened an already poor relationship between the coach and player. […] There was pushback from Cousins’ camp when the Kings hired Karl, and the Sacramento Bee reported that Cousins and Karl haven’t spoken for months.
