Domantas Sabonis Makes Feelings Clear After Kings’ Coaching Decision originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Sacramento Kings underwent many pivotal changes last season. It started when they fired Mike Brown and replaced him with Doug Christie, a Kings alum who had never been a head coach in the NBA until then, having spent the last three and a half seasons as an assistant for the team.
Then, De’Aaron Fox wanted out, so the Kings agreed to a blockbuster trade that sent Fox to the San Antonio Spurs and sent them Zach LaVine from the Chicago Bulls. Ultimately, the Kings made the play-in, but didn’t secure a playoff spot.
Despite not making it to the postseason, Sabonis had another standard All-Star-caliber season. He didn’t make an All-Star or All-NBA team, but still averaged 19.1 points, 13.9 rebounds, and six assists a game while shooting 59% from the field and 41.7% from three.
Domantas Sabonis Revealed How Things Will Be Different Under Doug Christie
The Kings will get a full season with Christie calling the shots and LaVine on the team. Because they’ll have time to prepare, Sabonis believes that could make a difference this coming season and expressed as much while talking with reporters.
“I think it’s going to help,” Sabonis told ABC10’s Matt George. “Coming in halfway through the season, also new coach, not the system the coach might want to play. Players learning it, so hopefully this season, I know Doug’s working hard on the new system, how he wants to play us. He’s going to translate it though training camp.
“So far, all summer, we’ve been getting little bits and pieces of that new offense, so hopefully when training camp comes, it’s just smooth and we’re ready to go.
Domantas Sabonis talks about Doug Christie becoming the Kings’ full time head coach, his meeting with new GM Scott Perry, the Kings rookies, working with DeMar DeRozan/Zach LaVine, and more. @ABC10pic.twitter.com/z0Svv4Wd6a
— Matt George (@MattGeorgeSAC) August 10, 2025
Kings Added Some Reinforcements This Summer
The Kings have retained most of their roster this offseason, but have lost some players like Jonas Valanciunas and Jake LaRavia. However, they have added players like Dennis Schroder, Drew Eubanks, and Dario Saric to aid their playoff push in 2026.
The Kings are built to try to make the playoffs. However, even when they made the playoffs in 2023, they only made it to the first round. At this point, their goals shouldn’t be to just return to the playoffs, but to actually win a playoff series. Because if they don’t, they have to think about how limited their ceiling is with their team.
Even if Sacramento is good enough to make the playoffs, so are most Western Conference teams.
Related: Mock Trade Sends Kings’ Malik Monk to Lakers for $59 Million Forward in Offseason Deal
Related: Kings Named Among Favorites to Land Hawks’ Star Guard Amid Contract Dispute
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 11, 2025, where it first appeared.
