Sacramento Kings hire Doug Christie as full-time head coach

The Sacramento Kings, a professional basketball team based in the United States, have taken significant steps towards establishing stability in their coaching staff by officially announcing the hiring of Doug Christie as their full-time head coach. This decision occurred following an interim period in which Christie led the team, taking over after Mike Brown's firing in late December 2023. Under Christie's guidance, the Kings finished with a record of 27 wins and 24 losses but were ultimately unsuccessful in the Play-In Tournament, losing their home game against the Dallas Mavericks. The management, led by newly appointed general manager Scott Perry, expressed a strong desire to reach a resolution on the coaching front quickly, opting to retain Christie for a long-term commitment. This decision is seen as a crucial move to give the franchise the needed continuity, as they aim to end a prolonged playoff drought that has seen the Kings secure only one postseason appearance in the last 19 years. Perry emphasized his confidence in Christie's leadership capabilities, citing his ability to connect with players and uphold core values essential for the team's future. The Kings currently have a core player group featuring notable talents like Domantas Sabonis, DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, Keegan Murray, and Malik Monk, and they are looking forward to enhancing their performance in the upcoming seasons with Christie at the helm. The franchise's hopes are high as they seek to rebuild and regain their competitive edge in the NBA, particularly after a challenging period that included a fifth-worst record since Vivek Ranadive took ownership in 2013.