Warriors’ Steve Kerr Mulls Future Amid Expiring Contract

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 14: Head coach Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors shouts to his team during their game against the Dallas Mavericks at Chase Center on January 14, 2020 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

The Golden State Warriors could see a significant chapter come to an end in the coming weeks. Coach Steve Kerr is on an expiring contract, and he will make an executive decision about his future with the team.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen,” Kerr said. “I still love coaching, but I get it. These jobs all have an expiration date. There is a run that happens, and when the run ends, sometimes it’s time for new blood and new ideas.”

Kerr completed his 12th season with Golden State, molding them into one of the NBA’s premier dynasties. His Warriors won four championships in eight seasons and posted six 50+ win seasons during his tenure. Fast-forwarding to this season, the Warriors are far from what they were a decade ago. Golden State was demoted to “fringe playoff contender” status after averaging 44 wins a season and failing to get out of the second round. They finished this season 37-45 and earned a play-in berth.

Phoenix eliminated Golden State on Friday after a convincing 111-96 win.

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Kerr subbed Stephen Curry and Draymond Green out of the game for a quick conversation: “I don’t know what’s going to happen next, but I love you guys to death. Thank you.”

Green is committed to playing for the time being, while Curry has a season remaining on his contract. The star point guard said he’s interested in extension talks with the team this offseason.

Time will tell whether or not Kerr will remain coach, but the relationship with Curry is a factor in the coach’s decision.

“That’s part of the equation,” Kerr said. “I don’t want to walk away from Steph. I’m definitely not going to be coaching somewhere else next year in the NBA. I would never walk away from Steph. But all this stuff has to be aligned and right. Those are all discussions that will be had.”

Kristaps Porzingis will be a free agent this offseason. Porzingis scored 11 points in 15 minutes despite playing through right ankle soreness on Friday night. The Warriors will need to think about Brandin Podziemski, whose rookie deal expires after this season and would be a restricted free agent if there’s no compromise.