The Sacramento Kings are betting on Doug Christie to squeeze real progress out of a roster that looks different, younger and, at least on paper, more stable than the one that stumbled through last season.
After a miserable year that ended with just 22 wins and too many injury problems to survive, Sacramento chose continuity and handed Christie another season. Now the question is simple: what does he have to do to turn that vote of confidence into something longer term?
According to SacTown Sports’ Carmichael Dave, the bar is clear. Christie either needs to guide the Kings to 40 or more wins, or he needs to finish the season strong enough to carry momentum into the next offseason.
In a crowded Western Conference, 40 wins may be a tall order for this version of Sacramento. But the other standard is just as important: effort, competitiveness and a team that looks engaged night after night.
That matters because last season’s issues went beyond the standings. The Kings were criticized at different points for lacking energy on defense and, at times, simply not playing hard enough. If Christie is going to stick around, that has to change.
The front office is hoping the new mix helps. Domantas Sabonis and Zach LaVine are back to full health, and Darius Acuff Jr. is stepping in as the team’s new lead guard. Sacramento also added Emanuel Sharp and Alex Karaban, two players who come from some of the most well-known college programs in the country, with the idea that the group’s overall culture should tighten up.
Training camp has already offered a glimpse of what Christie wants to see. “We’ve been going at it in training camp,” Clifford said.
“We’ve been going hard at each other. If we play like we’ve been playing at training camp, I feel like it’s going to look a lot differently.”
The Kings’ first preseason game did not go well as a team, but Clifford was a bright spot. He led all scorers with 23 points.
Now entering his second professional season, Clifford has talked about wanting to become a more versatile player and possibly handle some point guard duties behind Acuff. Even with Ben Simmons joining the mix and Malik Monk capable of handling the ball, Clifford is still expected to do most of his damage off the ball. But if he can create more often, that would give Sacramento’s bench another layer.
He also brings perimeter defense, something the Kings are going to need as the group works through the expected growing pains on that end of the floor.
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