The Sacramento Kings still have George Karl around, but all that could change soon if the Kings continue to flutter.

Karl has so far escaped the axe, something that started when he wanted DeMarcus Cousins traded. This cropped up in the offseason and team owner Ranadivé Vivek mentioned at the time that he would rather fire Karl than deal away Cousins.

Now, that could become a reality, with the Kings still seemingly off sync and performing below par.

The Kings are currently tied with the Portland Trail Blazers and the Houston Rockets but there were higher expectations for the team, especially with Rajon Rondo on board.

Rondo has been doing great but, apparently, the effort is not enough. Cousins has been in and out of the lineup and Karl has failed to do the necessary adjustments to this day.

So unless Karl weaves his magic, he could soon be following the footsteps of Kevin McHale who was fired recently for an equally underachieving Rockets quintet.

According to Bleacher Report, the names being mentioned to replace Karl are Nancy Lieberman and John Calipari. Lieberman could become the first female NBA coach if such happens, while Vivek believes that Calipari would be a neat fit because the team is composed largely of former Kentucky players.

As far as Calipari is concerned, rumors linking him to the Kings have been shut down yet again and expectedly. But the thing is the Kings aren't expected to make a change in the head coaching chores until perhaps the end of the season.

The news outlet also stated Kings vice president Vlade Divac is more inclined to elevate someone from the current roster — Corliss Williamson — and save the major head coaching change for next season.

Apparently all plans in that department are a result of the Kings' poor performance thus far. With majority of the season still ahead, anything can still change.