After a 22‑59 finish that left the Kings at the bottom of the West, Sacramento has chosen to keep head coach Doug Christie for the next season, team insiders confirmed on Sunday. Christie stepped in as interim in December 2024, then received a three‑year contract when Scott Perry took over as GM last summer for the organization.

Christie’s first full year began poorly; injuries to starter Keegan Murray and center Domantas Sabonis left the squad scrambling. A 3‑13 start spiralled into a 12‑46 run, and the projected lineup never appeared together. Sabonis missed 19 games before season‑ending surgery, while veteran Zach LaVine played only 39 before his own surgery in the season as the team continued to struggle.

With a youth‑focused rebuild, the Kings went 10‑13 in their last 23 games, a shift that lifted their record from league worst to fourth‑worst, tied with Utah. Management credits Christie for developing rookie centers Maxime Raynaud and Dylan Cardwell and first‑rounder Nique Clifford, all of whom have shown promise amid a turbulent roster in the season and hope.

The franchise’s next milestone is lottery night on May 10, when it will determine its top‑8 draft pick in a crowded class. Retaining Christie signals confidence that the young core can overcome injuries and finish above the bottom, turning a disastrous 2025‑26 campaign into a foundation for future contention for the team to rise in the coming seasons.