Steve Kerr will be staying with Golden State for the foreseeable future.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the seasoned Warriors’ head coach signed a fresh two-year agreement on Saturday, committing to stay with the squad. This new deal means he will remain with the Warriors through the 2026-27 season, which will be his thirteenth, following earlier discussions about his potential departure after the team failed to qualify for the postseason this past spring.
Reports suggest this arrangement will maintain Kerr’s position as the top-earning coach in the NBA, a status he previously held with an estimated annual salary of $17.5 million from his prior contract.
Beginning his tenure as the Warriors’ head coach in 2014, a debut for him in a lead coaching role within the league, Kerr swiftly guided the organization into an era of sustained dominance. Under his leadership, the Warriors secured four NBA championships and appeared in the NBA Finals six times over an eight-year span, notably making it to the finals in each of his initial five seasons. Furthermore, the Warriors achieved a remarkable 73-9 record in the 2015-16 season, surpassing the previous all-time wins benchmark established by the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls. Interestingly, Kerr was also part of that record-setting Bulls roster.
Nevertheless, the Golden State dynasty appears to be nearing its conclusion, if not already past its prime. The team concluded this spring with a disappointing 37-45 record, failing to qualify for the postseason for the second time in three years.
During their final game of the season, a defeat in the NBA play-in tournament, Kerr shared a poignant interaction on the court with key players Stephen Curry and Draymond Green—who represent the remaining core of the Warriors’ championship era—expressing his uncertainty about future developments.
“I’m uncertain about upcoming events, but my affection for you both is profound,” Kerr reportedly communicated to the two. “My gratitude is immense. I hold deep respect for you.”
Following the play-in tournament defeat against the Phoenix Suns, Kerr acknowledged the potential for future alterations, appearing to accept such an outcome. While Kerr convened with Warriors owner Joe Lacob and general manager Mike Dunleavy towards April’s end, neither party seemed eager to make immediate decisions.
Reports indicated that the Warriors sought a multiyear extension for Kerr this offseason, preferring it over a final “farewell” season, and Kerr himself experienced prolonged internal debate. Green, notably, even speculated that Kerr would not be coaching the team in the subsequent season.
“I’m not sure of the outcome,” Kerr stated. “My passion for coaching remains, yet I comprehend that all such roles have a finite lifespan. A certain period unfolds, and occasionally a shift to fresh perspectives and novel approaches becomes necessary for continued growth.
“Should that scenario arise, my gratitude would be immense for the unparalleled chance I’ve had to lead a team before our supporters in the Bay Area, guiding Steph Curry, Draymond, and the entire squad. This journey might persist, or it might not. I remain uncertain at this juncture.”
Just three weeks subsequently, the Warriors received clarity on the matter. This decision, however, represents merely one component of their crucial offseason agenda.
