Kings turmoil continues as owner denies enlisting Calipari to replace Karl

It's never a dull moment with the Sacramento Kings.

Hot off a week of clashes between ownership, DeMarcus Cousins, and head coach George Karl, the Kings find themselves in the news once more.

This time, they're probing Kentucky bench boss John Calipari's interest in taking a front-office or coaching job, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports. Shortly after Wojnarowski's story went live, Calipari took to Twitter to straighten the record.

Shortly thereafter, vice-president Vlade Divac also denied the rumor in speaking to ESPN.

"(It's) absolutely not true," Divac said. "The only person in our organization who (handles) something like this is me, and I've had zero conversations with John Calipari. We have a coach here."

Taking it further, Kings owner Vivek Ranadive told a group of reporters Tuesday in Sacramento that the Calipari story was "categorically untrue." When asked if Karl would remain head coach, he said, "that is correct."

Wojnarowski reports that Calipari has been in communication with Ranadive, and the two parties have reportedly discussed assuming complete control of basketball operations in Sacramento, as well as a coaching position.

It's believed that the Kings would have to present a multi-year package worth more than $10 million annually to grab Calipari's attention, reports Wojnarowski. The coach is happy with his position at Kentucky, and the Kings, frankly, are a mess.

There's been an almost comical amount of turnover within the Kings' leadership structure. Since 2013, they've shuffled through four different head coaches, two ownership regimes, and anywhere from two to four decision-makers in terms of basketball operations. Tack on Ranadive's hands-on approach with management and there has been no shortage of chaos in Sacramento.

Currently, Divac is handling basketball operations while the newly minted Karl serves as head coach. However, with the two parties reportedly butting heads over a disgruntled franchise player in Cousins, another move may be necessary.

That's where Calipari comes in. He has a strong relationship with Cousins dating back to his time with the Wildcats in 2010, and could potentially ease the star's moodiness. Much of Cousins' displeasure stems back to the Kings' controversial decision to can former head coach Mike Malone (which Ranadive allegedly orchestrated). Bringing in Calipari would be a gesture of goodwill toward Cousins.

As for control of basketball operations, that might be a necessity given Sacramento's ever-changing leadership structure. Giving Calipari control of basketball operations – whatever that means with Ranadive looking over his shoulder – is likely a must.

Calipari signed a seven-year, $54-million extension with the Wildcats last summer after turning down a $60-million offer to run the Cleveland Cavaliers. With four Final Four appearances, a national title, and a career 190-37 record at Kentucky, he is not exactly looking to leave.

Kings send lawyers to study Karl's contract

Parallel to their dealings with Calipari, the Kings are also taking a long look at Karl.

As Wojnarowksi reports:

Sacramento ownership, dismayed over Karl's fractured relationship with Cousins, has had lawyers studying Karl's contract, trying to determine if there's a way to terminate him for "cause," and free themselves of the three years, nearly $10 million left guaranteed on his deal, league sources told Yahoo Sports. If the Kings cannot convince Calipari to come to Sacramento - or never make a formal offer - Karl could simply remain as coach.

Sacramento's case on trying to get out of paying Karl his contract would be based in part on his involvement in mounting a campaign to get Cousins traded, sources said. The possibility of getting Karl ousted without pay is remote.

Worming out from under Karl's deal would be yet another hint of management's displeasure with the veteran coach, whom they signed in March.