Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr offered a candid assessment of his coaching future following the team’s elimination from playoff contention.
After a 111-96 loss to the Phoenix Suns in the play-in tournament on Friday night, which capped a disappointing 37-45 season, Kerr acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding his role with the franchise.
Kerr, whose contract expires this summer, intentionally delayed discussions about an extension. He plans to take a week or two to reflect before meeting with controlling owner Joe Lacob and general manager Mike Dunleavy.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen,” Kerr said, via ESPN. “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.”
The Warriors have not advanced past the second round since winning the 2022 NBA championship. This season was marred by injuries, including Stephen Curry missing 27 games with a right knee issue and Jimmy Butler III suffering a torn ACL in January.
Kerr expressed deep gratitude for his tenure but stopped short of committing to return.
“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,” he 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.”
Kerr emphasized his loyalty to Curry while ruling out other NBA opportunities.
“That’s part of the equation. 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,” he said. “But all this stuff has to be aligned and right. Those are all discussions that will be had.”
Curry voiced support for Kerr’s decision-making process.
“I want Coach to be happy. I want him to be excited for the job. I want him to believe he’s the right guy for the job,” he said.
As the Warriors eye potential roster additions this offseason, Kerr’s future remains a key variable in what could mark the closing chapter of a successful era.
