Could Kings Coach Christie Be on Hot Seat in 2026-27?

Doug Christie's seat is warming up as he enters his second full season and the final year of his contract as the Sacramento Kings head coach.

Christie has led Sacramento with a 49-84 record since replacing Mike Brown on Dec. 27, 2024. He went 27-24 in the remainder of 2024-25 and significantly regressed last season, as the team finished 22-60.

Season-ending injuries to Zach LaVine, Domantas Sabonis and Keegan Murray forced Christie to give the rookies and back-end rotation players more playing time. Starter minutes let the young guys develop and fight through growing pains.

LaVine, Sabonis and Murray are healthy this season, and the Kings drafted Darius Acuff Jr. with the seventh pick. Two timelines, veterans and youth, forcing Christie to balance the talent to win.

He's off to a slow start after losing to the Los Angeles Clippers 121-96 on Wednesday. Acuff went 5-for-24, repeatedly missing wide-open teammates, while LaVine led the team with 28 points.

Sam Amick, senior NBA writer for The Athletic, believes it's too early to press about Christie's job security. He said his situation is tied to general manager Scott Perry on Thursday's episode of the "Carmichael Dave Show."

Amick said the spotlight would shift to Perry if Christie is fired. His decisions will come under scrutiny sooner, as he attempts to find a replacement to lead the team.

Go back to Perry's predecessor, Monte McNair, who was relieved of his duties in April 2025.

He fired Brown after the team started 13-18, then traded De'Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs at last February's trade deadline. Fans criticized McNair's decisions, firing a former Coach of the Year and trading a franchise superstar.

Amick also said Christie surviving the year is not out of the question, even if Sacramento struggles. The team wants to win games to better its standing under the new lottery reform rules and develop Acuff as a potential franchise cornerstone.

Prioritizing the veterans could limit the rookie's on-ball reps, but focusing on the first-round pick could cost wins. How Sacramento is built screams that a mid-season change is on the horizon if Perry can find new homes for Sabonis and LaVine.

It will be a long season for Christie, with low expectations around the team's success and his job security. He can bounce back with a win against the Portland Trail Blazers in Friday's home opener at Golden 1 Center.