Kings coach Doug Christie is sticking around, and player development played a big role in that decision, according to Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee.
In other words, the wins weren’t there, but the belief still is.
Sacramento finished with just 22 wins. Not much to celebrate on the surface. Internally, though, there’s optimism about the growth of the young core.
General manager Scott Perry pointed to rookies Nique Clifford, Maxime Raynaud and Dylan Cardwell as examples.
“That was one of the main reasons in making sure Doug Christie came back as head coach,” Perry said. “Doug’s relentless energy, his leadership that he exhibited with these young guys, his patience, never wavered throughout a challenging year.”
Christie, for his part, kept it simple. He believes a turnaround is coming.
“Come hell or high water,” he said.
Injuries didn’t help.
Sacramento rolled through 34 different starting lineups, never really finding continuity. Key players missed significant time, including Domantas Sabonis, Keegan Murray and Zach LaVine.
“It would be nice to plug those guys in and have all that,” Christie said. “We didn’t have it, but I can see how all of that would fit…”
Sacramento could see some changes this offseason. LaVine is a trade candidate. DeMar DeRozan may be, too. But whoever is there or not there, the Kings are betting Christie can make it all together.
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