Scott Perry and Doug Christie's Partnership Begin

Tony Harvey
May 3
3 min read

Whether You Care Or Not,

Perry and Christie Made History

Is the Crux of their Unification

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“He's been around this league for a long time and I am going to lean on that because I think there is power in that.”

– Doug Christie, Sacramento Kings Head Coach, on working with GM Scott Perry.

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, West Sacramento, Calif. — For the first time in the 40-year history of the franchise stay in the city, the Sacramento Kings concurrently have a Black general manager and head coach.

Scott Perry, the GM, and Doug Christie appeared together at the team's practice facility for the latter's introductory news conference as the new head coach on May 2.

Perry made it clear why he chose Christie to lead the team. Apparently, Christie showed enough "character" and "integrity," Perry said, to hold on to the position.

The former Kings player coached under duress after Mike Brown was fired in late December. Christie was still able to produce an above .500 winning record with minimal head coaching experience. He will be able to build on a project he has repeatedly said is "unfinished business."

Perry made it obvious that he had clear knowledge of some of the problems the organization was experiencing, which led to him being hired as GM. He also expressed his confidence in Christie and how they would approach a working relationship.

"It's important that this relationship be a strong relationship that can communicate freely and openly," Perry told Publicity Agents. "When we start the season, there's going to be highs and lows. I don't care how good of a team you have or how bad of a season you have...There's adversity that's his in this league."

Perry continued, "(Christie) showed me his integrity and character and how to deal with difficulties this past season. So, I'm comfortable with that when I saw how he did that."

After finishing his first season (2017-18) in New York with 29 wins, as GM, Perry watched the New Knicks roll to a 47-win season in 2022-23 and an Eastern Conference Semifinals appearance, the Knicks' first conference semifinals appearance since the 2012-13 season.

Before his time with the Knicks, Perry served as Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations for the Kings in 2017 and held front office roles with the Seattle SuperSonics, Orlando Magic, and Detroit Pistons. Perry was basically named the Kings' GM moments after Monte McNair parted ways with the franchise after a 5-year tenure.

Christie was appointed interim head coach of the Kings on Dec. 27, 2024, leading the team to a 27-24 record and earning the 9th seed in the Western Conference. During his 51 games as interim head coach, Sacramento ranked 11th in points per game (116.2), 10th in offensive rating (116.6), 10th in field goal percentage (47.8%), 10th in three-point percentage (36.9%), and third in defensive rebounding percentage (73.0%).

"I am humble, honored, and grateful to be sitting beside Scott," Christie said. "Right now, I want to thank my family, Kings' leadership, Scott, and an incredible fanbase for trusting me with this beautiful jewel because that's how I envision it."

As it stands, Perry and Christie will have to perfect their skills in the basketball operations department. The Kings have only made the playoffs once in the last 18 seasons, including 16 straight campaigns of inactivity in the postseason.

The Kings have made it to the Play-In Tournament in the last couple of seasons, but that is not an accomplishment in the eyes of Sacramento fans.

Perry said his objective is to build "sustainable success." He will have to start that process with a team that finished 40-42 in a highly competitive Western Conference. On paper, they have the services of Domantas Sabonis, DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, Keegan Murray, and Malik Monk.

Whether this unit stays together is unknown. Perry knows the roster needs tweaking. Albeit, whatever the case may be during the offseason, Christie unselfishly sent out a signal that he would march in the same direction as Perry.

"This game will leave a hole in your heart. It will," Christie said. "It's difficult (and) it'll take something from you. And the odd thing about that is it's the only thing that can fill that void. So, with that, I accept the challenge."