Kings Expected to Retain Head Coach Doug Christie

Despite 22-59 record, Kings to keep Christie for 2026-27 season

Apr. 12, 2026 at 6:10pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball game, with the players and court broken down into abstract, overlapping shapes and colors.The Kings' decision to retain head coach Doug Christie reflects the franchise's desire for stability, even as the team's performance has struggled in recent years.Today in Sacramento

The Sacramento Kings are reportedly expected to retain head coach Doug Christie for the 2026-27 NBA season, despite the team's disappointing 22-59 record this past year. The decision comes as a surprise to many, given the Kings' struggles under Christie's leadership.

Why it matters

The Kings have not made the playoffs since 2006, the longest active drought in the NBA. Retaining Christie, who has a 59-145 record over his three seasons as head coach, signals the team is willing to maintain stability rather than make a change in leadership.

The details

Christie, a former NBA player, was hired as the Kings' head coach in 2023 after serving as an assistant. In his three seasons at the helm, the team has failed to make significant progress, leading many to speculate that he would be let go this offseason.

  • The Kings finished the 2025-26 season with a 22-59 record.
  • Christie was hired as the Kings' head coach in 2023.

The players

Doug Christie

The current head coach of the Sacramento Kings, who has a 59-145 record over his three seasons leading the team.

Sacramento Kings

An NBA franchise based in Sacramento, California that has not made the playoffs since 2006, the longest active drought in the league.

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What they’re saying

“The Kings' decision to retain Doug Christie is a bit puzzling, given the team's lack of progress under his leadership. However, the organization may be hoping for a turnaround with some roster changes in the offseason.”

— Analyst, NBA Analyst

What’s next

The Kings will look to make roster moves and improvements during the offseason to try to end their playoff drought in the 2026-27 season.

The takeaway

The Kings' decision to retain Doug Christie as head coach despite the team's poor performance in recent years suggests the organization values stability over immediate results. However, the move will likely face scrutiny from fans and media if the team fails to show significant improvement next season.