Sam Amick: Kings would prefer to avoid in-season coaching change

Doug Christie’s future as Kings head coach remains uncertain as Sacramento tries to halt a difficult start.

The Kings are 1-10, matching the worst 11-game start in franchise history, and are 0-6 at home midway through a seven-game homestand.

Christie is 50-94 (.347) over parts of three seasons as head coach.

The Athletic’s Sam Amick joined Carmichael Dave to discuss the pressure surrounding Doug Christie and the possibility of a coaching change.

Amick said the organization has shown a “pretty strong hesitancy” to make a move and that it would prefer to keep Christie in place for the season. But he acknowledged the situation could become harder to sustain as losses pile up.

Head coach Doug Christie of the Sacramento Kings claps during a timeout in the second quarter against the Orlando Magic at Golden 1 Center on November 10, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

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Doug Christie is in the final guaranteed year of his contract, a circumstance Amick said can shape a coach’s priorities.

Coaches in that position tend to focus on the result they can control: winning games. That can conflict with an organization’s interest in developing young players, particularly when those goals are not aligned.

Amick said Sacramento has put itself in a difficult spot by waiting to decide.

Moving assistant Mike Woodson into the head-coaching role does not appear to be an option the organization is eager to pursue, while a change could leave rookie Darius Acuff Jr. with three head coaches in his first season.

“Their goals may not necessarily align with the organization’s developmental priorities,” Amick said of coaches in the final year of a deal.

He added that Sacramento appears comfortable with how Acuff and his camp view the situation, despite the rookie’s visible frustration after a recent game.

Amick also pointed to Acuff’s potential as a reason the organization may be willing to endure a rough stretch. The team believes he could become a “generational superstar,” he said, and is trying to build around that possibility.

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 06: Head coach Doug Christie of the Sacramento Kings talks with Maxime Raynaud #42, Zach LaVine #8, and De’Andre Hunter #15 at halftime against the Los Angeles Clippers at Golden 1 Center on February 06, 2026 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images)

A future coaching search could bring another challenge.

Amick said the Kings’ history with coaches—including Mike Brown, Dave Joerger and Michael Malone—may make some candidates wary. Scott Perry’s relationships around the league could help, but Amick said a coach considering the job may also wonder about Perry’s own standing within the organization.

“I have no idea where this is going to go,” Amick said, describing the available paths as imperfect.

For now, Sacramento appears inclined to give Doug Christie more time, but a 1-10 start puts increasing weight on each decision. The question is whether the team can keep its coaching and player-development priorities aligned long enough to change course.

Listen to The Carmichael Dave Show with Jason Ross from 6 – 10 a.m. PDT, Monday through Friday, on Sactown Sports 1140.

More Sacramento Kings content from Sactown Sports

• Sacramento Kings sign free agent Mason Plumlee
• Zach LaVine: ‘I need to support Acuff the best I can’
• Dwayne Wade: Darius Acuff Jr. is drawing attention to Sacramento
• Bobby Marks: Kings are in position for upcoming financial flexibility

Sacramento Kings 2026-27 Regular Season Schedule

• Friday, November 13th vs. Portland Trail Blazers (7:00 P.M. PT)
• Sunday, November 15th vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (6:00 P.M. PT)
• Wednesday, November 18th vs. Phoenix Suns (7:00 P.M. PT)
• Friday, November 20th @ Los Angeles Lakers (7:00 P.M. PT)
• Saturday, November 21st vs. Boston Celtics (7:00 P.M. PT)

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