National Basketball Association

Report: George Karl's relationship with Kings owner 'strained'

Published Jun. 25, 2015 2:40 p.m. ET

foxsports

By Vincent Frank

There can’t be a single person outside of the Sacramento Kings organization who didn’t see this coming. Following multiple reports indicating that Kings head coach George Karl is pushing the team to trade DeMarcus Cousins, comes this dandy from Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix.

"Relationship between Kings owner Vivek Ranadive and George Karl deeply strained right now, per sources," Mannix tweeted on Thursday. "Some tense moments last few days."

What does this all mean? The Kings have a franchise-altering decision to make — one that could shape the organization for years to come. They have to choose between keeping their All-Star center or a 64-year-old head coach. They likely have to do so within the next few hours.

Per Wojnarowski’s previous report, there doesn’t seem to be a possibility that Karl and Cousins can coexist moving forward. If that’s the case, the next few hours will be one where tension takes over the Kings’ facility leading up to the draft, especially if the Lakers continue to make a strong play for Cousins.

More from Sportsnaut: