The Golden State Warriors are facing more than just a difficult stretch of basketball. As the second half of the season unfolds, uncertainty has begun to surround the future of head coach Steve Kerr, whose contract is set to expire at the end of the year with no extension in place.
That uncertainty intensified this week following the season-ending torn ACL suffered by Jimmy Butler, a blow that further destabilized a team already searching for direction. While the Warriors remain above .500 at 25-20, the sense around the organization is that this season may represent a turning point, not just for the roster, but for the sideline as well.
In a Wednesday column, Logan Murdock of The Ringer reported that several assistant coaches are preparing for the possibility that Kerr does not return next season.
"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," Murdock wrote.
That mindset alone speaks volumes. Assistant coaching movement often serves as an early barometer of organizational expectations, and Golden State has already seen notable departures. Two seasons ago, Kenny Atkinson left to become head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers, while longtime assistant Chris DeMarco exited midseason to take over the New York Liberty.
Publicly, Kerr and the front office have maintained alignment. President of basketball operations Mike Dunleavy has repeatedly stated that Kerr can coach "as long as he wants," framing the situation as a year-to-year decision based on how Kerr feels mentally and physically. That stance remained unchanged entering the season. Privately, however, the environment appears to be shifting.
Golden State's recent stretch has only added weight to the question. The Warriors entered this week riding a four-game winning streak and had won seven of their last ten before Butler's injury. The news cast an immediate pall over the team, which followed with a lopsided home loss to the Toronto Raptors in its first game without him.
Beyond Butler, the long-term outlook is cloudy. Steph Curry and Draymond Green are firmly in the twilight of their careers, while former lottery pick Jonathan Kuminga remains in the thick of trade rumors rather than emerging as a franchise pillar.
Kerr and Curry have openly acknowledged a desire to finish their careers together, even while recognizing that their contract timelines do not perfectly align. That ideal ending has long felt logical for all parties. Now, it feels far less certain.
With no extension signed, mounting roster questions, and the season slipping away, Kerr's previously described "year-to-year" approach may be trending closer to "week-to-week." Whether that leads to a quiet reset or an amicable split remains unknown.
What is clear is that uncertainty now hangs over every corner of the Warriors' future, including the coach who defined their dynasty.
Newsweek