Signing Corbin to a contract doesn't preclude the Kings from still making a midseason hire, but the odds are growing continually worse. The Kings may be hesitant to sign another coach midseason as they're still on the hook for Malone contract, but Kings ownership has shown a general willingness to spend money to improve the team.

Ultimately, this news is sure to cause of a lot of unhappiness among Kings fans, and it would be great if the front office shed some light on the situation. Management is in difficult position, though, as they don't want to paint Corbin as a lame-duck coach even if that seems to be fairly obvious already.