Wow.
Adrian Wojnarowski dropped a bomb on the internet tonight by breaking the news that the Kings have fired head coach Michael Malone. Malone was apparently fired for not meeting the "win-loss expectations of ownership" per Wojnarowski. After a 9-5 start, the Kings have gone just 2-8 despite a relatively soft December schedule. However, most of those games have been without star center DeMarcus Cousins, who has been out battling viral meningitis.
Tyrone Corbin will take over as interim Head Coach. We'll have more on this situation as it develops, but right now I'm in a state of shock trying to process what looks to be an incredibly shortsighted move.
Here are all of Wojnarowski's tweets on the situation:
Sacramento has fired coach Mike Malone, league sources told Yahoo Sports.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) December 15, 2014Assistant coach Ty Corbin will take over as interim head coach, league source tells Yahoo Sports.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) December 15, 2014Despite star DeMarcus Cousins missing past nine games, Malone didn't meet win-loss expectations of ownership, sources tell Yahoo.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) December 15, 2014GM Pete D'Alessandro hadn't hired Malone, and had never been strong bond between them. Still, ownership's expectations are unrealistic.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) December 15, 2014Sacramento has no replacement lined up for Malone, and Corbin will be afforded chance to coach Kings this season, league sources tell Yahoo.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) December 15, 2014Style of play factor in Malone's firing, too. Malone's job was in jeopardy over summer, but quick start spared him -- until Cousins illness.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) December 15, 2014Natural candidate for Sacramento will be George Karl, whom D'Alessandro worked with in Denver. Still, Kings insist he isn't on deck now.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) December 15, 2014Unclear if top assistant Chris Jent will stay on with Corbin. D'Allesandro will meet with Jent on Monday to discuss future together.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) December 15, 2014Malone was uneasy in the summer, when management spearheaded interviews for a top assistant, sources said. Eventually, Malone hired Corbin.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) December 15, 2014UPDATE 11:22 PM
Um... guys.
Another long-term candidate to monitor for the Sacramento Kings coaching job, league sources tell Yahoo Sports: Vinny Del Negro.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) December 15, 2014