If it becomes necessary, of course.
When it comes to Doug Christie, there doesn’t appear to be much belief that he is the right head coach to guide the Sacramento Kings, especially with the franchise potentially entering a challenging rebuilding phase. Because of that, Sacramento needs to begin preparing for the possibility that a new coach could eventually be needed.
Christie still has two years remaining on his current contract, although the 2027-28 season is a team option. If the Kings aren’t pleased with the team’s progress, the 2026-27 season could end up being his final year in Sacramento. Fortunately, there are several intriguing coaching candidates the Kings could consider. Doc Rivers, however, shouldn’t be one of them.
5. Tom Thibodeau
Tom Thibodeau has been coaching basketball since 1981, and his lengthy run in the NBA appeared to come to an end when the New York Knicks dismissed him following the 2024-25 season. In an interesting twist, the Knicks replaced Thibodeau with former Kings head coach Mike Brown. Thibodeau is known for demanding heavy workloads from his players, especially his starters, but he also emphasizes discipline, accountability, and preparation. His extensive knowledge of the game would give Sacramento an experienced option.
4. Johnnie Bryant
Johnnie Bryant went undrafted in 2007 after his college playing career but eventually made his way into the NBA coaching ranks. Over the past 12 years, he has held assistant and associate coaching positions with the Utah Jazz, New York Knicks, and Cleveland Cavaliers. Bryant has built a reputation for helping young players develop, with notable connections to stars such as Donovan Mitchell, Damian Lillard, and Jalen Brunson. His ability to develop talent could make him an appealing option for a young player like Darius Acuff Jr.
3. Michael Malone
Michael Malone became available rather unexpectedly when the Denver Nuggets fired him with just three games remaining in the 2024-25 regular season, shortly before the start of the playoffs. That decision came only two years after Malone led Denver to the first NBA championship in franchise history in 2023. Malone’s coaching philosophy centers on putting players first while emphasizing defense, accountability, and a strong foundation of fundamentals. His championship experience could make him a particularly attractive candidate for Sacramento.
2. Chris Quinn
Chris Quinn played professionally in both the NBA and Europe, spending most of his American playing career with the Miami Heat. After transitioning into coaching, Quinn has spent 11 years building his coaching résumé, with much of that time coming in Miami under longtime Heat coach Erik Spoelstra. Quinn has emerged as one of the league’s prominent assistant coaches and is considered a potential head coach candidate for multiple teams. Sacramento could provide him with an opportunity to finally take the next step and make a significant impact.
1. Rex Kalamian
Rex Kalamian has been an NBA assistant coach since 1995 and has gained experience working with numerous teams throughout his career. His résumé also includes two separate stints with the Sacramento Kings, giving him an existing connection to the organization. Kalamian offers decades of coaching experience, extensive knowledge of the game, and familiarity with the Kings franchise. If Sacramento decides to make a coaching change, this could potentially be the opportunity for Kalamian to finally take over as a head coach.
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