Doug Christie's Kings Hot Seat Updated in New NBA Rumors amid 0-5 Start

Despite a disastrous 0-5 start with the worst net rating in the Western Conference, the Sacramento Kings are not looking to make a change at head coach.

Per The Athletic's Sam Amick , there is a belief within the Kings' front office that Doug Christie "deserves a fair chance to be evaluated" given the roster he is currently operating with is shorthanded due to key injuries.

Amick added things could end up changing if the Kings continue to lose at the rate they have been, but "development — both his and that of key young players — is considered the most important aspect of his duties."

Christie's job status was a talking point at the end of last season before the Kings announced they were bringing him back.

He is in the final guaranteed year of his current contract with the Kings holding a team option for 2027-28, so it wouldn't cost them anything to let him play out this season before deciding on his future.

The Kings hired Christie on an interim basis midway through the 2024-25 season after Mike Brown was fired. He put together a 27-24 record in 51 games following his promotion to have the interim tag removed.

Since the start of the 2025-26 season, though, Christie has led the Kings to a 22-65 record. The Washington Wizards, Brooklyn Nets and Indiana Pacers are the only teams with a worse record during that stretch.

Injuries have contributed to some of Sacramento's struggles to start this season. Ben Simmons was expected to play a role off the bench after a solid preseason, but he tore his Achilles in practice three days before the regular-season opener.

Maxime Raynaud has yet to play after injuring his knee in a preseason game against the Golden State Warriors on Oct. 10. Keegan Murray will miss at least another week recovering from an ankle injury.

One positive for the Kings is Darius Acuff Jr. looks like the player they hoped for when he was selected with the No. 7 pick in the 2026 draft. He put up a historic stat line with 34 points, 14 assists and one steal against the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday night.

The Kings and Nets are the lone winless teams in the NBA at this point, but Sacramento has played one more game to be the only 0-5 club.

Christie and the Kings will go for their first win of the season on Saturday against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedEx Forum.