Steve Kerr appears to be in no hurry to sign a contract extension with the Golden State Warriors. For the moment, his focus is on building an effective starting lineup for the 2025-26 season, with Stephen Curry entering his 17th campaign and Draymond Green beginning his 14th.
Kerr is already a legend in NBA history. As a player, he earned five championship rings, and as a coach, he has added four more with Golden State. Yet, as the new season approaches, uncertainty remains about whether the 60-year-old strategist will continue with the franchise beyond this year. The winds of change may be starting to blow in the Bay Area.
What’s next for Kerr and the Warriors together?
ESPN reporter Anthony Slater is preparing an in-depth feature on Steve Kerr’s 12 years with the Warriors and his long-standing partnership with superstar Stephen Curry. In his coverage, Slater noted that the veteran coach has made his stance clear regarding his professional future.
He is not, he will not leave the Warriors for another NBA job. This isn’t open-ended because the Spurs are appealing or anything else.
It’s going to either be that they get to the end of the season, and maybe he steps away from the game. What I think is more likely, as he’s hinting, is that he still thinks he’ll very likely be the coach of the Warriors beyond the season. But it just has to go right, and it has to feel right after the season. As of right now, I would definitely predict this is not his last season.
Kerr’s most recent contract with Golden State
In 2024, Kerr signed a two-year, $35 million contract, which currently awaits renewal. The deal, worth $17.5 million annually, positioned him among the highest-paid coaches in the NBA.
For now, both Kerr and the organization are deferring negotiations until the end of the upcoming season. The coach has expressed that he feels no pressure and prefers to focus entirely on the team’s performance rather than future paperwork.
General manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. echoed that sentiment during an interview with 95.7 The Game, making it clear there is no urgency to finalize an extension.
I guess technically there is (uncertainty). This isn’t really a regular situation with a head coach where he’s in the last year of his deal. We know what it is with Steve. He’s been here a long time. He’s been an amazing part of this franchise, and as far as I’m concerned, can stay as long as he wants. We’re going to give him the grace of the season to go through it, or at least some of it, to see and feel where he’s at mentally and physically.
Dunleavy wants to let things unfold naturally, without haste, and see how Kerr feels as the season progresses. Some analysts believe the coach could be experiencing the natural fatigue that often affects great sports figures who have achieved everything and begin contemplating retirement.
Perhaps the legendary former player and coach is quietly orchestrating his farewell from the Warriors in a way that will appear smooth, graceful, and entirely on his own terms.
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