By BEN NAGLE, US SPORTS EDITOR
Published: 19:30 EST, 16 December 2025 | Updated: 19:30 EST, 16 December 2025
Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob may be regretting his snap decision to reply to an angry fan's email... after it was quickly plastered all over social media.
The team has endured a difficult start to the new season, and one supporter went straight to the top after watching Sunday night's 136-131 loss to Portland, deciding to email the team's billionaire boss.
He may not have expected a response, but - remarkably - Lacob quickly got back to him, giving his perspective on the situation and defending the team.
The fan in question, Justin Dutari, had sent a critical note minutes after the game, claiming that Jimmy Butler's 'tools are being underutilized' and that the team 'needs a real second option', as well as hitting out at the size of the roster.
'I am so frustrated. Thanks, Justin', he ended his note.
Just minutes later, and Dutari will have been stunned to find a response sitting in his inbox, with Lacob - who is said to be worth $2.5 billion - giving his own thoughts.
Warriors billionaire owner Joe Lacob made the surprise decision to email back a fan this week
The full exchange was quickly posted to Reddit by the fan in question - Justin Dutari
'You can't be as frustrated as me,' he began, adding: 'I am working on it.
'It's complicated. Style of play. Coaches desires regarding players. League trends. Jimmy is not the problem.'
His email then ended with the sign-off: 'Joe. Sent from my iPhone'.
Dutari quickly published the interaction to Reddit, before the Warriors confirmed to ESPN that it was indeed a real email from Lacob to the fan.
The exchange has gone so viral that head coach Steve Kerr was even asked about it during his media availability on Tuesday.
'Not a big deal,' he noted. 'Not concerned about anything like that.'
The Warriors, so used to success with the likes of Steph Curry on the roster, currently sit eighth in a tough Western Conference, 13-14 on the season.
Kerr was seemingly in the firing line in Lacob's response, too, with his 'desires' noted by the team's billionaire owner.
He has thus far been insistent on his system built around the strengths of Curry and Draymond Green, which some have perceived to be to the detriment of the younger players on the roster.
Kerr has been in charge of the Warriors since 2014 and is heading towards the end of his current contract.
In the email, Lacob mentioned Steve Kerr's 'desires regarding players' as a frustration
Kerr is notoriously insistent on building the team around his stars, such as Steph Curry (above)
When previously asked if he intends to discuss a renewal before the deal expires, he admitted he isn't seeking an extension yet and is happy to wait for the end of the campaign before discussing his future.
'We're all frustrated,' Kerr added on Tuesday. 'Joe is frustrated. I'm frustrated. Steph and [Green], everybody's frustrated. This is kind of how the league works.
'I hate when people are going to post private emails. Imagine if everyone's emails were just publicly posted, how tough that would be to live our lives.
'Joe supports me 100 percent. I support him. We have a great connection. We've had so much continuity here. Our stable environment in our organization is one of our strengths.'