This season was the last season that the Golden State Warriors paid Steve Kerr to coach the team. Kerr has been the head coach in Golden State since 2014 and has helped the team win four NBA titles. However, he did not receive a contract extension before the season began.
Kerr had to coach an injury-plagued team. Both Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler missed significant chunks of the season. That led to Golden State being eliminated in the play-in by the Suns. Now that they have missed the playoffs, they need to figure out what is happening with Kerr.
According to a recent report, things are looking encouraging for him to return to the team.
GettyGolden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr motions during a game. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Report Suggests Warriors Could Bring Steve Kerr Back Next Season
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Warriors might be finding some common ground. As he wrote on the Stein Line, the Warriors believe it is “more likely than not” that they can find common ground for him to return on a new deal.
Kerr has been vocal that he would like to coach in Golden State as long as Curry is on the roster. In return, Curry has voiced his support for Kerr to come back. Golden State has had an enormous amount of success with Kerr’s motion offense over the years.
Even if Kerr returns as the head coach, the Warriors have a lot of work to do with the roster. They clearly need to build some depth around Curry and Butler so that they can survive injuries as both stars continue to age. Doing that with limited cap space will be a challenge.
No one has more games as Golden State’s head coach than Kerr. He also has the highest winning percentage, as well. Stein mentions that ESPN executives are trying extremely hard to get him to return to TV, which is a much cushier job.
GettyGolden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr reacts during a game. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Golden State Needs a Coaching Resolution Before Free Agency
Whether Kerr coaches the team or not, the Warriors need coaching clarity before free agency starts. Only then will they be able to build out next year’s roster. Kerr not returning would have them scrambling to find a new head man, presumably one with several years of NBA head coaching experience.
Assembling a competitive roster will be another tricky matter. This season, Golden State was the third-most expensive team in the league, spending over the first apron. The good news for them is their cap sheet looks a lot better for next season, as they have just the 16th-highest payroll.
Of course, that is because they only have nine guaranteed contracts right now. There is a high probability that the Warriors will try to trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo, as well. Adding him would give them a third star player and make them a much larger threat in the Western Conference.
Figuring out Kerr’s status precedes all of that, however.
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