Kings Retain Coach Doug Christie for Second Full Season

Christie to continue leading Sacramento's rebuilding efforts after first full year as head coach.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 12:55am

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting a basketball game, with the players and court broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in the official colors of the Sacramento Kings.The Kings' decision to retain coach Doug Christie signals a commitment to stability and continuity as the team works to rebuild and improve its on-court performance.Today in Sacramento

The Sacramento Kings are expected to retain Doug Christie as their head coach for the 2026-27 NBA season, according to multiple media reports. Christie, a former Kings player, took over as the team's interim coach in December 2024 and had the interim tag removed when he signed a three-year contract last May.

Why it matters

The Kings have struggled in recent seasons, finishing with the fourth-worst record in the NBA last year. Retaining Christie provides continuity as the team continues its rebuilding efforts under his leadership.

The details

Christie, 55, played five of his 15 NBA seasons with the Kings, appearing in more games for the franchise (355) than any other team during his career from 1992-2007. As head coach, he has compiled a 49-83 record over the past two seasons. His new contract reportedly has two guaranteed years at approximately $2 million per season.

  • Christie took over as the Kings' interim head coach on December 27, 2024.
  • He signed a three-year contract with the team on May 1, 2025, removing the interim tag.

The players

Doug Christie

A former NBA player who is entering his second full season as the head coach of the Sacramento Kings.

Mike Brown

The previous head coach of the Sacramento Kings, who was fired on December 27, 2024.

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What’s next

The Kings will look to improve on their 22-59 record from last season as they enter the 2026-27 campaign under Christie's continued leadership.

The takeaway

After a challenging first full season, the Kings are showing faith in Doug Christie to lead their rebuilding efforts, providing stability as the team looks to turn the corner and become more competitive in the Western Conference.