The Kings are in “intense conversations” with George Karl about their head coaching position, according to the Sacramento Bee. The Kings have lost 10 of their last 11 games and are said to have accelerated their search for a permanent head coach.

Via ESPN:

The Kings are engaged in intense conversations with George Karl about their head coaching position, multiple sources have told The Bee.

Assistant Tyrone Corbin replaced Michael Malone on Dec. 14 after the Kings faltered to a 2-8 record during DeMarcus Cousins’ absence due to viral meningitis. The plan was to have Corbin complete the season, conduct an extensive coaching search, and give the incoming coach the benefit of an entire offseason and training camp.

Besides Karl, an ESPN analyst who is known for dramatically improving franchises, particularly in Denver, Seattle and Milwaukee, the list of future candidates is known to include current NBA assistants Alvin Gentry and Nate McMillan, along with head coaches whose job security is thought to be tenuous, among them Tom Thibodeau and Scott Brooks.

But the Kings’ ongoing slump – and jarring absence of competitiveness – has prompted principal owner Vivek Ranadive and his front office, headed by general manager Pete D’Alessandro, to move more quickly. The situation was exacerbated Thursday by a blowout loss to the visiting Dallas Mavericks on a night that was intended to celebrate former Kings star Mitch Richmond and was attended by Hall of Fame center Bill Russell.