George Karl in talks with Kings

The Sacramento Kings have engaged in serious discussions with George Karl and his representatives in recent days as the team's play has worsened under interim coach Tyrone Corbin, league coaching sources have confirmed to ESPN.

The Kings, according to sources, are still deciding whether they want to make another coaching change so soon, which would make it three coaches in the brief regime of new owner Vivek Ranadive.

But sources say Ranadive is increasingly intrigued by the idea of bringing Karl in after initially pledging to give Corbin the rest of the season to make his case.

Karl, who currently works as an analyst at ESPN, has not commented on numerous reports linking him and the Kings' coaching vacancy.

The Kings' recent conversations with Karl were reported earlier Saturday by the Sacramento Bee.

Karl ranks sixth all-time among NBA coaches with 1,131 wins and has worked extensively with two key members of Sacramento's brain trust in general manager Pete D'Alessandro and assistant GM Mike Bratz, as well as recent Kings hire Dean Oliver.

In the wake of Michael Malone's firing in December, Karl made it clear he was interested in the Kings' coaching vacancy, saying he was "hungry to get back in the gym."

"There's no question that the year or year and a half that I've been out and been with ESPN has been fun, but I think I've got one more rodeo left in me," Karl said in December. "I'd like to get back in the gym and get with a good team. In a lot of ways, I think Sacramento fits that process, in my mind."

ESPN also reported in December that Kings adviser Chris Mullin resisted a push from Ranadive to take over for the fired Malone despite his lack of NBA coaching experience.

The 17-32 Kings -- the third-worst mark in the Western Conference -- lost to the Jazz on Saturday. Sacramento is 6-19 under Corbin and has lost 11 of its last 12 games.