NBA Rumors: Sacramento Kings nearing a Deal with George Karl

The Sacramento Kings could have a new coach very soon.

According to league sources reported by Adrian Wojnarowsi with Yahoo! Sports, the Kings are nearing a deal to bring in George Karl as their next head coach. The contract is rumored to be around $4 to $5 million per season for four years. The deal also includes a team option for the 2017-18 season.

Sources believe that Karl could be brought in right after the All-Star break. Interim head coach Tyrone Corbin will coach Tuesday night's game against the Chicago Bulls and Wednesday's game against the Milwaukee Bucks.

The contract, however, still needs to be finalized. If all goes as planned, Karl will coach his first game with the Kings on Feb. 20, when they take on the Boston Celtics at Sleep Train Arena.

Although the rumors about the Kings' interest in Karl have been around since the firing of Mike Malone in December, not everyone is too keen about adding Malone. All-Star DeMarcus Cousins' camp was reportedly stalling the talks between the Kings and Karl. Cousins was not too happy about these rumors and gave the media a piece of his mind after shooting the game-winning shot Sunday night against the Phoenix Suns.

"Nah I ain't pumped up. I just got a lot on my mind," the 24-year-old All-Star told reporters. "And the crazy thing about it ... I just got a question for y'all. How are you gonna stop God's plan? How are you gonna do that? How are you gonna do that? That's what I want to know. How are you gonna stop God's plan? Man, this city done put me through so much, and I stayed loyal to it the whole time. Hey, I just wanna know how you gonna stop God's plan? God gives his hardest battles to his strongest soldiers. The marathon continues. I'm out."

Cousins' camp and Karl reportedly met on Monday. Cousins, who was close with former coach Malone, was previously upset with how the Kings handled the firing of Malone.

Hall of Fame point guard, Gary Payton commented on these rumors as well, stating that Cousins should welcome Karl.

"You're going to have to go out there and play for this guy," Payton said on FOXSports.com. "When you play for this guy, he's going to let you do whatever you want. He's going to make you another All-Star. He's going to make you a $100 million so leave your agent alone. He doesn't know what's going on. Get out of here. Play basketball. George Karl is your man. Make sure you know that."

Karl was an NBA coach in Cleveland, Golden State, Seattle, Milwaukee and Denver. He amassed 1,131 regular-season wins and his last coaching gig was during the 2012-13 season with the Denver Nuggets.

Karl is currently a TV analyst for ESPN.