For the first time in nearly eight years, the Kings took the court without point guard De’Aaron Fox on Sacramento’s roster. Sure, they’ve played games without the star point guard over that span, but this was different.

Malik Monk came to Sacramento to play with De’Aaron Fox. Now, he’s taking his place as the starting point guard.

Kings interim coach Doug Christie knows what it feels like to be traded midseason. That's because it happened to him, in Sacramento, where he spent the majority of his playing career. So he understands all too well what De’Aaron Fox experienced Monday when the team officially dealt its star point guard to San Antonio as part of a three-team trade.