Kings to keep coach Doug Christie for the upcoming season.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Despite holding a 22-59 record that places them at the bottom of the Western Conference standings, the Sacramento Kings will keep head coach Doug Christie for the upcoming season, according to team sources who spoke to ESPN on Sunday.
Christie took over the role in December 2024, initially serving as the interim head coach following the dismissal of Mike Brown. New general manager Scott Perry assumed control of franchise decisions last summer and subsequently awarded Christie the permanent position, signing him to a three-year contract.
Christie’s inaugural full season got off to a rocky start. Sacramento lost starting wing Keegan Murray to a torn thumb ligament during the preseason and starting center Domantas Sabonis to a partially torn meniscus in November. The Kings began the season with a 3-13 record and fell to a 12-46 mark.
Perry and Kings management feel that Christie was not afforded a fair opportunity with the current roster, as sources indicate that their anticipated starting lineup never played a single minute together.
Sabonis was restricted to 19 games before undergoing season-ending surgery. Veteran scorer Zach LaVine also faced limitations, appearing in only 39 games before having surgery that ended his season.
As the franchise has shifted towards a youth-oriented approach, they have recorded a 10-13 record in their last 23 games. Part of Sacramento’s rationale for retaining Christie is attributed to the positive growth of rookie centers Maxime Raynaud and Dylan Cardwell, along with first-round pick Nique Clifford.
This recent success has slightly impacted their lottery odds, as the Kings moved from having the worst record in the league to the fourth worst, currently tied with the Utah Jazz at 22-59 as they approach the final day of the regular season.
The next significant date for the franchise is lottery night on May 10, when they will learn which top-8 selection they will secure in a highly regarded draft.
