Sacramento Kings Part Ways With George Karl
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) - The Sacramento Kings say head coach George Karl will not be returning next year.
"After evaluating the team's performance this season, I determined it was necessary to move forward with a new voice from the head coaching position," said VP of Basketball Operations Vlade Divac said in a statement on Thursday morning.
Karl later released a statement:
"While I would have loved to continue on this journey, I am very proud of our work and I want to thank Kings management for the opportunity to have coached this exciting team with such a bright future. It's my heartfelt feeling that the magnificent new arena will be hosting many Playoff runs and an eventual Championship, which the Sacramento fans, some of the most loyal and supportive people I've ever known in my many years in the NBA, very much deserve. With a profound humility, moving forward, I wish nothing but the best for this franchise and its players."
Rumors have been swirling this week that the team had decided to part ways with Karl.
The Kings finished with a 33-49 record this past season.
"I have a great deal of respect and admiration for George and his accomplishments throughout his nearly 30 years in the NBA," Divac added in his statement. "On behalf of everyone in the Kings organization, I thank him for the contributions made during his time in Sacramento and wish him good fortune in the future."
The 2015-16 campaign was Karl's only full season with Sacramento.
