SAN FRANCISCO — The Golden State Warriors and coach Steve Kerr have agreed to a two-year contract extension that will make him the highest-paid coach in the league, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Friday night.
Kerr’s new deal, per ESPN, is worth $35 million.
The previous record for annual salary for a head coach was Erik Spoelstra, who recently signed an eight-year, $120 million extension with the Miami Heat. Kerr is set to be under contract with the Warriors through the 2025-26 season, the same as Steph Curry.
The Warriors didn’t announce the news, but ESPN’s report cited Kerr’s agents as sources.
Kerr, 58, had been in a lame-duck year, but both he and the Warriors organization were operating with the expectation that he’d return. They just had to hammer out the details. Now, it appears they have.
In his 10 seasons as head coach of the Warriors, Kerr is 501-264 — the fifth-highest winning percentage among coaches with at least five years of experience.
Warriors players often credit Kerr with instilling values and winning ways. He won championships with Michael Jordan and under Gregg Popovich with the Spurs. He has won nine championships as both a player and coach, among the most in NBA history. Last week, Kerr won his 500th game as a coach.
Kerr’s experience, interpersonal skills and worldview have helped him navigate tumultuous situations through the years like Kevin Durant’s arrival and departure, Draymond Green’s erratic behavior, the influx of young talent to the veteran core and two lottery seasons.
The 2016 NBA Coach of the Year has led the Warriors since 2014. Under his leadership, Golden State has forged the NBA’s modern dynasty, winning four titles. Now, he’ll be in charge for what looks to be the final chapters of it.
This is a developing story.