The Golden State Warriors want to retain head coach Steve Kerr, but they have a major competitor for his services heading into next season — ESPN.
Insider Marc Stein reported on Sunday, May 3 that the 24-hour global sports network is ardently pursuing Kerr to return to the sport’s premier broadcasting ranks.
“League sources tell The Stein Line that ESPN’s top executives have been lobbying Kerr aggressively to try to convince him to return to the world of NBA broadcasting, but the Warriors are expected to meet with Kerr as early as Monday to resume discussions about his status,” Stein reported.
Steve Kerr Spent 2 Multiyear Stints in NBA Broadcasting as Employee of TNT
GettyHead coach Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors.
Kerr retired from the NBA as a player in 2003 a few months ahead of his 38th birthday.
He worked in broadcasting with the TNT network between 2003-07, as well as between 2010-14, serving as a color commentator.
Kerr worked as general manager and president of basketball operations of the Phoenix Suns for three years between 2007-10, leading the team to a record of 155-91 in the regular season and 11-10 in the postseason. Phoenix earned one trip to the Western Conference Finals after the 2009-10 campaign, which ended in a 4-2 series loss to the eventual champion Los Angeles Lakers.
Following his exit from television in 2014, Kerr agreed to become the head coach of the Warriors. In the 12 years since, the franchise has won four titles. He owns a record of 604-353 in the regular season and 104-48 in the playoffs.
Warriors Want Commitment From Steve Kerr as Coach Beyond His Stated Obligation to Steph Curry
GettyGolden State Warriors point guard Steph Curry (left) and head coach Steve Kerr (right).
Stein offered more reporting that indicated meetings between Kerr and the Warriors are imminent and that Golden State is the frontrunner to retain his services.
However, that is not set in stone. The franchise also has some stipulations.
I’m told Golden State has been operating internally in recent days as though it is more likely than not that a common ground can be found with the 60 year old on a new deal that would keep him in place coaching Stephen Curry.
The prevailing sentiment within the Warriors, furthermore, is that Kerr indeed wants to stay on, but as Jake [Fischer] (yet again) first reported here on April 8, Golden State’s top decision-makers — most notably owner Joe Lacob — are insisting on a multiyear commitment from Kerr if he truly wants to keep going.
A commitment, they have stressed, that is based on something more than Kerr’s oft-recited line about how he will ‘never leave Steph Curry.’
Curry remains under contract through next season, during which he will turn 38.
The Warriors came up one win shy in the play-in tournament of making the playoffs as the No. 8 seed. After that loss to the Phoenix Suns, who the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder swept 4-0 in the opening round, Curry told reporters he wants to sign an extension with the Warriors and hopes to get traction on a deal this summer.
Golden State owns the No. 11 spot in the league’s draft lottery and has a 9.4 percent chance to jump into the top four picks of one of the best draft classes in years, possibly decades. The Warriors are also likely to actively hunt superstar talent via the trade market.
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