The Sacramento Kings are turning to Doug Christie to take the reins after parting ways with head coach Mike Brown, per NBA insider Sam Amick of The Athletic.
Christie, the former NBA shooting guard, will serve as the team’s interim head coach, stepping into a significant role for the Kings at a pivotal moment in their season.
Christie, who spent five of his 15 seasons in the NBA with Sacramento, is no stranger to the Kings’ culture.
From 2000 to 2005, he was a key part of one of the most successful eras in the franchise’s history, earning Defensive Player of the Year votes and helping lead the team to the playoffs in four straight years.
His experience on both ends of the floor made him a beloved figure in Sacramento, and he’s remained deeply connected to the franchise ever since his playing days ended.
After retiring, Christie shifted to a broadcasting role as a color commentator for Kings games before being hired as an assistant coach in 2021.
He initially joined the coaching staff under Luke Walton, staying on when Alvin Gentry took over as interim head coach and when Brown was hired in 2022.
Although Christie has never formally held a head coaching position, his time as an assistant has provided valuable experience, including a brief stint as head coach in December 2021 when Gentry missed time due to COVID-19.
Christie also got his feet wet coaching Sacramento’s Summer League team in 2024, gaining further exposure to head coaching duties.
While this marks his first full-time gig as a head coach, the Kings are hoping his leadership, basketball IQ, and deep ties to the organization will provide the stability and direction needed to turn around a disappointing start to the first quarter of the season.
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