Sacramento, California — The Sacramento Kings are poised to promote Doug Christie to head coach, finalizing a multiyear contract to officially remove his interim tag. Sources confirmed the development on Tuesday, indicating that negotiations with Christie’s agent, Andy Miller, of Klutch Sports, have reached a conclusion.
Christie stepped into the interim role in late December after the franchise parted ways with former head coach Mike Brown. Under Christie’s guidance, the Kings posted a 27-24 record, improving their offensive efficiency to ninth in the league during that timeframe. Notably, the team displayed resilience in close games, compiling a 13-10 record in clutch situations, a marked improvement from their previous 6-13 record under Brown.
Despite an impressive start where the Kings secured 20 victories in their first 31 games with Christie at the helm, the season concluded on a less favorable note, with the team dropping 13 of their last 20 contests. This inconsistency raises questions about the upcoming season and the strategy moving forward.
Following the coaching transition, Christie is expected to revamp his staff, moving away from the assistants he inherited from Brown. His tenure with the Kings began as an assistant coach in the 2021-22 season, and his history with the organization spans back to his playing days, where he spent five of his 15-season NBA career in Sacramento.
In addition to the coaching changes, the Kings have also welcomed Scott Perry as their new general manager. This hiring follows the release of Monte McNair after a disappointing loss to the Dallas Mavericks in a crucial play-in tournament matchup, where the Kings faced off in the No. 9 against the No. 10 seed. Perry, a seasoned veteran in NBA management, is expected to bring fresh insights as the team looks to rebuild and strengthen its roster.
As the Kings prepare for the next chapter with Christie at the helm, fans are eager to see how these changes will influence the team’s performance and objectives in the upcoming season. The franchise aims to establish itself as a competitive force after struggling for years in the league.