Christie's win-loss record is concerning, but his impact on young talent sparks debate about his role in the Kings' rebuilding efforts.
Outside of the draft drama in the final stretch of the season, the future of coach Doug Christie is one of the central questions facing the Sacramento Kings as the NBA heads into summer.
Christie was named interim coach on Dec. 27, 2024, after the Kings fired Mike Brown. Once at the helm, Christie's results have been underwhelming, especially given the talented veterans on the team.
His first game as interim coach put the Kings against the Los Angeles Lakers, and ended in a 132-122 loss. Christie finished the season with a 27-24 record in the interim role, but the team had a 16-18 stretch after trading for De'Aaron Fox.
The Kings officially named him the head coach on May 1, 2025. Officially leading the team, Christie has sported a 21-58 record (fifth-worst in the NBA), which pushes his overall record in his tenure to 48-82.
Christie's results aren't pushing the team toward playoff contention, which they graced in 2022, but general manager Scott Perry is more worried about his franchise progressively getting better.
"I'm just expecting him to be my coach until I tell you anything different," Perry told reporters after the trade deadline. "I'm not even thinking along those lines right now. I want to see us get incrementally better each day, and I want to see him continue to improve as a coach."
Sacramento's record indicates the team regressed, but injuries to key veterans Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine and Russell Westbrook have derailed the season.
Those injuries have opened up opportunities for young players like Daeqwon Plowden, Nique Clifford and Dylan Cardwell to receive extended minutes in the season's final stretch.
Perry wanted to see the team improve, and that's shown in the young players with whom Christie has built strong relationships this season.
Plowden is a two-way signee who exploded onto the scene with injuries to the Kings' guard rotation. He's averaging 10.5 points in 29 games, and his relationship with Christie began last summer when he reassured him that he belongs in the NBA.
Cardwell was on a two-way contract, but Sacramento signed him to a four-year, $8.28 million contract two months ago. The high-energy center credited Christe as a significant reason why he's been successful this season.
"I've had a significant first rookie season because Doug Christie has given me a lot of grace throughout the year to go out there and fail," Cardwell said after losing to the Clippers.
Clifford is another rookie who has developed in recent months, jumping from 5.4 points in January to averaging over 12 points since February. The Kings' 24th pick said his coach is growing with the rest of the team in his first year.
"He's learning and trying to grow as long as the rest of us," Clifford said. "It's been cool to see his growth and development as well. He's kept our group connected, brought that energy and positivity. And personally, for me, he's helped me get better because we've had some similarities in our games."
Plowden, Cardwell and Clifford have been key contributors in recent victories, and a significant reason behind their development is Christie's trust in them and willingness to let them learn through their mistakes.
Christie's results with the Kings may be underwhelming when evaluating his future with the organization, but he built relationships and developed the young players.
Whether the first-year coach stays on board or not is a question Sacramento must answer this summer.
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