Warriors coach Steve Kerr
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Steve Kerr is the head coach of the Golden State Warriors.
The Golden State Warriors have a tough path this season after losing Jimmy Butler for the rest of the year due to his brutal torn ACL injury. Warriors’ management must find a way to add talent, despite having limited assets to trade right now. Head coach Steve Kerr has shown frustration this season, but there is a growing belief that this will be his final year in Golden State.
The Ringer’s Logan Murdock reports that other assistant coaches are already planning for their next job:
“This is the final year of his contract, and as of Wednesday, he has yet to sign a new deal. Though Kerr has publicly been mum about his future, multiple assistant coaches have been operating under the premise that he will not return next season, according to team sources, with some surveying the league to secure jobs next season.”
An aging roster sees talents like Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and the injured Butler as a core that may not be able to contend for a title any time soon. Golden State had a play-in seed before Butler’s injury to create questions about their future. Kerr might say farewell after seeing the writing on the wall about the team’s inability to contend.
Would Steve Kerr Continue NBA Coaching?
If Kerr is indeed looking at leaving the Warriors, there are multiple ways to look at this. Golden State had an all-time great run with Kerr winning four NBA Championships along the way. Kerr could be content to retire from coaching, especially since he already has a strong enough legacy to be named a top 15 all-time coach via the NBA 75.
The article doesn’t go into depth beyond Kerr potentially letting the contract expire. Past success in the front office for the Phoenix Suns and broadcasting for Turner Sports showed that Kerr has multiple avenues to remain in basketball without coaching.
Kerr could also hit the open market and see which teams are looking for a new head coach. Some franchises would flat out fire their current coach and make an offer to Kerr due to his strong reputation around the league. Golden State might also tempt Kerr with a big offer for one more run before Curry ultimately retires.
Golden State’s Potential Future Without Kerr
All scenarios are on the table for Kerr since his contract expires at the end of this season, and the team’s future remains bleak. General Manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. has been under public scrutiny for making the wrong moves and not giving Curry and Kerr their best chance to compete at the highest level.
Time will tell if the Warriors have any realistic moves to add another star with a couple of young players and future draft picks available to trade. However, assistant coaches even thinking that Kerr may already be on the way out is not the best sign.
Kerr looks more visibly tired at the end of games due to the wear and tear of a long NBA career finally showing. Winning has been the calling card of Kerr from his role player tenure with the Chicago Bulls to his current coaching era. Golden State no longer being good enough to win could be his rationale to end the relationship.