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Doug Christie Interview: The Kings are prioritizing player development

The Sacramento Kings are in a transitional period as they look forward to the future, meaning we will see more minutes from the team’s young core.

Kings head coach Doug Christie joined The Carmichael Dave Show with Jason Ross on Thursday to further confirm that notion, as the former defensive standout relayed the franchise’s hope of developing young talent and helping this current crop of rookies grow into consistent contributors.

Sacramento has leaned on first-year players like wing Nique Clifford, center Maxime Raynaud, and big man Dylan Cardwell, with all three currently playing roles in Christie’s rotation.

This means that veterans like Zach LaVine, Domantas Sabonis, Malik Monk, and Keon Ellis’ minutes have fluctuated (or, in Ellis’ case, been heavily reduced) to give the rookies an opportunity to find their footing at the NBA level.

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 20: Dylan Cardwell #32 of the Sacramento Kings reacts after a play in the first quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at Golden 1 Center on December 20, 2025 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 Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

“We have to develop them,” Christie said of Sacramento’s trio of rookies. We are going to live with their mistakes and make sure that they’re out there.”

“And I think that you’ve seen that the object, obviously, is to win the game, and ultimately, in my opinion, and I think this is [GM Scott Perry’s] as well, is that the standard winning is the byproduct of playing to that.

And I would agree, any professional organization that has a winning culture and has sustained winning, has pillars that allow them to say, this is who we are, and this is what we do.”

Christie has opted to play rookies like Raynaud and Cardwell in crunch time over players like LaVine and Sabonis, citing energy and defensive effort as the qualities he seeks in those moments.

“That’s where with the veterans and the different things, it’s a mismatch sometimes, of trying to find who’s going to bring that energy, who’s going to who’s going to play, you know, really hard, who’s going to be on the defensive end, who’s going to rebound the basketball,” Christie said of his rotations.

“And that’s where the rotations can sometimes get tricky. But with our young players, we’re going to make sure that they get out there. There’s no better way for them to develop than, you know, being thrown in the deep end of the water and telling them that they have to swim, still supporting them, making sure that they’re developed player development-wise, going over things, showing them video, all of that.

“And it’s just, it’s a beautiful thing also, to watch them develop in front of your eyes. They’re going to have ups and downs, and we understand that. But the whole point is to develop them and support them along their journey at the same time as trying to win.”

Check out the full interview with Sacramento Kings head coach Doug Christie by scrolling to the top of the page or by clicking here.

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

Click here for full episodes of The Carmichael Dave Show with Jason Ross

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