MINNEAPOLIS — Interim head coach Doug Christie of the Kings knows the impact of being traded during the season firsthand. Having experienced a midseason trade himself while playing in Sacramento, he empathizes with De’Aaron Fox as the franchise moved its star point guard to San Antonio as part of a three-team trade.

Christie expressed his support for Fox, stating, “Ever since the first time I saw him play, I was a big-time fan, and this doesn’t change anything as far as always rooting for him,” prior to the Kings’ narrow win over Minnesota on Monday night.

Selected as the fifth overall pick by the Kings in 2017, Fox has had an impressive career, averaging 25 points and 6.1 assists across 45 games in his eighth NBA season. Along with Fox, Kevin Huerter was dealt to the Chicago Bulls and Jordan McLaughlin went to the Spurs, with the Kings receiving Zach LaVine from the Bulls and Sidy Cissoko from the Spurs, alongside acquiring three first-round and three second-round draft selections.

Describing the emotional fallout of such trades, Kings guard Malik Monk remarked, “Roller coaster, man. We lost three of our brothers, two of them have been with us since I’ve been here. It’s a tough thing.” This transition comes amidst a tumultuous time for the team, which recently fired coach Mike Brown in December. Christie has taken the initiative to talk to younger players on how to cope with the business realities of trades, emphasizing that they have support from him and their teammates.

“I wanted to let them know that I’m here for you, your teammates are here for you,” he said, highlighting the importance of camaraderie during such challenging moments.

LaVine, a seasoned player averaging 24 points and 4.5 assists in his 11th year, may make his debut with the Kings on Wednesday against Orlando. Christie remains cautious in making comparisons between LaVine and Fox until LaVine joins the roster to see how both can contribute to the team’s play style.

With Fox’s departure, Monk has stepped into the role of starting point guard for Sacramento. In the recent game against the Timberwolves, he posted 26 points, eight rebounds, and five assists. Although Monk is familiar with playmaking, transitioning to the starting role requires adjustment.

“It’s definitely a new opportunity and stage,” Monk noted, acknowledging the weight of taking on responsibilities that Fox held for the organization and the Sacramento community. “Starting at point guard is a big opportunity, and it’s a big thing to feel in this league for sure, especially what Fox did for the organization, for the city of Sacramento. I’m just trying to pick up where he left it.”