標籤: Christie

Sacramento Kings coach Doug Christie was also hired after a 22-win season after posting a .368 winning percentage in 134 career games. This decision may be related to the cheap price Sacramento is paying for its head coach.

According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, Christie is considered the lowest-paid head coach in the NBA, with an average annual salary of $2 million.

For comparison, Steve Kerr is currently the highest-paid NBA coach with $17.5 million and Erik Spoelstra makes about $15 million per season with the Miami Heat. The going rate is often between $8 to $10 million per year, as evidenced by Taylor Jenkins receiving a $10 million salary this offseason to become the head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks.

Since taking over as head coach of the Kings in the middle of the 2024–25 NBA season, Christie has one of the worst win totals (49) among active NBA head coaches.

With the Kings currently projected to be above the NBA’s luxury tax line for the 2026-27 season, it wouldn’t be surprising to see owner Vivek Ranadive cut costs elsewhere. While Christie has not proven himself to be an NBA-caliber coach, he has shown loyalty to the franchise and appears to be the most cost-effective option for a rebuilding team.

However, there is a long-term risk here. As we’re seeing with the Portland Trail Blazers under new owner Tom Dundon, making money with coaches can damage a franchise’s reputation.

While there are top-tier assistant coaches who make more than $1 million per season, Christie’s salary clearly indicates that the Kings are unwilling to make significant investments in their coaching staff.

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

The Sacramento Kings are on track to miss the playoffs for the third consecutive year and end up in the lottery. Not many people were optimistic about the Kings’ prospects before the season, and it remains true that they are at the bottom of the team standings.

The Kings lead 17-51 heading into their game against the Utah Jazz on Sunday.

Despite their forgettable campaign, Kings coach Doug Christie remains in good spirits. In particular, he is bullish on the team’s recent decision to sign Killian Hayes to a two-year contract. Hayes played 10 consecutive games on a 10-day contract with Sacramento before getting a full-time deal.

“He’s played really well. When he has the basketball, he controls the basketball, he runs the team, and he organizes and sets us up. Defensively, I think he’s been fantastic,” Christie said in a video posted by ESPN’s James Ham.

Christie said that Hayes can still “grow in different areas”, especially once he fully adjusts to their system and culture.

Christie said, “When I look at the totality of what he’s done, what we’ve asked of him and what we’ve taught him, the good shape he’s been in, it comes down to it, I like Killian, and I like everything about him. He’s a joy to coach. He tries to do all the right things when he’s on the field, impacting wins and helping his teammates.”

Doug Christie on Killian Hayes has been locked out of a non-guaranteed contract through the end of the year and into next season: pic.twitter.com/Y1sOFlZs8L

– James Ham (@James_HamNBA) 16 March 2026

The Detroit Pistons selected the 24-year-old Hayes as the No. 7 overall pick in 2020. However, his career has not progressed yet. Last season, he played six games with the Brooklyn Nets, averaging 9.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 5.2 assists.

Hayes will continue his goal of proving that he belongs in the NBA. He was selected ahead of the likes of Denny Avdija of the Portland Trail Blazers, Devin Vassell of the San Antonio Spurs, Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers, Tyrese Maxey of the Philadelphia 76ers, and Boston’s Peyton Pritchard.