Feb 24, 2025; Sacramento, California, USA; Sacramento Kings interim head coach Doug Christie looks on during the fourth quarter of the game against the Charlotte Hornets at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images

'He Has to Learn That Mentality' – Sacramento Kings’ Doug Christie Gives Ultimate Green Light to Rising Star This Upcoming Season

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Jordan Samar | Last updated Oct 2, 2025 11:48 PM ET

Doug Christie is entering his first full season as the Sacramento Kings head coach after he had his interim tag removed at the end of the 2024-25 campaign. During the team’s Media Day, Christie emphasized the need for Keegan Murray to ball out for them to be successful.

“He needs to hunt for shots for him, I think the number is around ten,” Christie said via Nick Avila of NBC Sports. “If he can get up ten threes, that would be a beautiful, beautiful thing.”

“Part of the things I talk to Keegan about is hunting shots… Keegan has to learn that mentality, and it’s a learned thing,” he continued. “It’s like whenever you catch it, I want him to catch it – not catch it and then think about shooting as he’s coming there. He needs to already be thinking about it.”

Dec 28, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray (13) shoots against Los Angeles Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell (1) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

In 2024-25, Murray averaged 12.4 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.4 assists on 44.4 percent shooting from the field across 76 regular season starts while being the Sacramento Kings’ fourth option behind DeMar DeRozan , Domantas Sabonis, and Zach LaVine. The 24-year-old forward is eligible to sign a new extension this year.

New Sacramento Kings GM sends clear message to the team this upcoming season

Newly minted Sacramento Kings general manager Scott Perry spoke about his hopes for the team this upcoming season, and he broke his philosophy down to six important tenets during Media Day.

Scott Perry, the executive vice president of the Sacramento Kings, addressed reporters in June after the NBA Draft.Credit: Getty Images

“We want to be competitive, tough, team-oriented, accountable, disciplined, and professional,” Perry told reporters. “Everything that we do this year, I’m going to look at it through those pillars, on the court, off the court, and how we are holding up to those values. That’s what I’m most excited about.”

“It’s all about that, because if you want to build a sustainable winner, you have to have a foundation, and our foundation has got to be rooted in how hard we play, how tough we are, and how we do this as a team, to do this together,” he added.