Warriors coach Steve Kerr wants to contemplate his situation for a week or two before discussing his future plans with Golden State officials.
Kerr, 60, has guided the Warriors to four championships — the most recent one in 2022. Friday night’s play-in loss to the Phoenix Suns marked the second time in three years that Golden State failed to reach the playoffs.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen,” Kerr said after the 111-96 loss in Phoenix. “I still love coaching, but I get it. These jobs all have an expiration date. There is a run that happens, and when the run ends, sometimes it’s time for new blood and new ideas.”
Kerr, who is in the final year of his contract, has coached the Warriors since the 2014-15 season. He has compiled a record of 604-353 (.631) during a dynastic run that also included titles in 2015, 2017 and 2018.
Golden State has not advanced past the second round of the playoffs since lifting the trophy in 2022.
“If (my time is done), then I will be nothing but grateful for the most amazing opportunity any person could have to coach this franchise in front of our fans and to coach Steph Curry, (Draymond Green), the whole group,” Kerr said. “It may still go on. It may not. I don’t know at this point. But we all need to step away a little bit and then reconvene.”
Aging and injuries took a heavy toll on the Warriors this season, with Jimmy Butler III tearing his right ACL in January and 38-year-old superstar Stephen Curry dealing with a knee injury and playing only 43 games.
Kerr subbed out Curry and Green — who have been with Golden State since 2009-10 and 2012-13, respectively — in the closing seconds of Friday’s season-ending defeat.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen next, but I love you guys to death. Thank you,” Kerr said he told them after a group hug.
Curry has one season and $62.6 million left on his contract and said he is open to extension talks this offseason. Green, 36, has a $27.7 million player option for next season and said postgame that he does not plan to retire.
Kerr said if he coaches next season, it will be with Curry and the Warriors.
“That’s part of the equation,” he said. “I don’t want to walk away from Steph. I’m definitely not going and coaching somewhere else next year in the NBA. I would never walk away from Steph. But all this stuff has to be aligned and right. Those are all discussions that will be had.”
Whatever Kerr decides, Curry said he just wants the former NBA Coach of the Year to be happy.
“I want him to be excited for the job,” Curry said. “I want him to believe he’s the right guy for the job. I want him to have an opportunity to enjoy what he does, whatever that means for him. Everybody’s plan is their own. He knows how I feel about him.”
–Field Level Media
