Apr 4, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Sacramento Kings head coach Doug Christie during the first quarter against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Kings Hire Doug Christie as New Head Coach

Originally posted on Sacramento Kings on SI
By Logan Struck | Last updated Apr 29, 2025 12:13 PM ET

The Sacramento Kings finished their 2024-25 campaign with an underwhelming 40-42 record and missed the playoffs after a play-in tournament loss to the Dallas Mavericks. With everything that happened throughout the season, the franchise has seemed at a crossroads.

This season, the Kings fired head coach Mike Brown, traded star point guard De'Aaron Fox, and parted ways with general manager Monte McNair. Most teams would not be able to recover from those significant moves within the same season, so all the Kings can do is focus on their future.

The Kings hired Scott Perry as their new general manager, and for his first task, he has found their new head coach.

ESPN's Shams Charania reports that the Kings are finalizing a deal to sign Doug Christie to a multi-year contract to become the team's new head coach.

The Sacramento Kings and interim coach Doug Christie are finalizing a multiyear contract to make Christie the franchise's next head coach, sources tell ESPN. Christie's agent, Andy Miller of Klutch Sports, negotiated a new deal for the Kings' full-time job this week. pic.twitter.com/OKdBWxszVm
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 29, 2025

Christie is not a new name in Sacramento by any means, but it is still a shocking move to most. After the Kings fired Mike Brown, Christie was promoted to interim head coach. In 52 games in that position, Christie had a 27-25 record, including their season-ending play-in loss.

As a player, Christie played in Sacramento for five seasons, notching four All-Defensive Team honors and engraving his name in Kings history. Now, Christie is able to stay home and build a legacy as his former team's head coach.

Many fans were expecting Perry to look for an outside hire, but Christie did a fine job this past season with an interim tag, even with the odds against him. Give Christie a full offseason as head coach and some say in roster construction, and the Kings could be in good shape next season.

This article first appeared on Sacramento Kings on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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