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Sacramento Kings coach Doug Christie stated that he does not feel any less secure in his position despite the team’s difficult 1-12 start to the 2026-27 NBA season.
Addressing the Hot Seat
When questioned on Saturday regarding his confidence in his role, Christie explained that he always feels pressure regardless of the circumstances, as reported by Sactown Sports 1140’s Brenden Nunes. “I think this seat is hot, always, so it doesn’t really matter,” Christie said.
Christie added that he feels a strong personal responsibility for the team’s poor record. “Obviously, we want to win the games. Nobody wants to win more than me, from the standpoint that the record doesn’t go on players’ numbers, the record goes on coaches’ numbers,” he stated.
Contract Status and Expectations
Christie is presently in the second guaranteed year of his contract with the Sacramento franchise, according to reporting from The Athletic’s Sam Amick. Amick noted that Christie is in line for a pay raise if the organization decides to pick up his third-year option.
The front office entered the campaign anticipating progress following Christie’s first full season as head coach, where he guided an injury-plagued squad to 22 victories, per Amick’s reports. The stakes for a higher finish have increased this year because Sacramento holds its 2028 first-round draft pick and faces penalties under new NBA draft lottery regulations if they finish among the league’s bottom three teams.
Roster Challenges and Next Steps
The Kings’ depth has been severely tested this season due to injuries affecting players such as Dylan Cardwell and Keegan Murray. Murray was listed as questionable to play due to illness ahead of a home matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder, and the return of key players is expected to factor heavily into the team’s trajectory.
“As we get all these guys back, and get them healthy, then we continue down the path of trying to put together what we thought we would be putting together when we started this process,” Christie said.
