PHOENIX — Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said Friday he will spend the next one to two weeks deciding whether to return for a 13th season after the club’s 111-96 play-in defeat to the Phoenix Suns.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen,” Kerr told reporters moments after the elimination. “These jobs all have an expiration date.” The 60-year-old coach is finishing the final year of his contract and deliberately postponed extension talks until the season ended.
Kerr plans to meet with controlling owner Joe Lacob and general manager Mike Dunleavy once he completes his reflection period. He emphasized that he is not interested in coaching another NBA team next season but acknowledged that “new blood and new ideas” can sometimes be necessary.
Dynasty in Decline
Kerr guided Golden State to championships in 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2022, building one of the league’s most successful runs. Since the last title, however, the Warriors have posted regular-season win totals of 44, 46, 48 and most recently 37-45, failing to advance past the second round.
This year’s slide began in January when newly acquired wing Jimmy Butler sustained a torn ACL. Stephen Curry then missed 27 consecutive games with a right knee issue, and Golden State fell to the Western Conference’s 10th seed.
Emotional Finish
In Friday’s closing seconds, Kerr removed Curry and Draymond Green, gathered them on the bench and said, “I don’t know what’s going to happen next, but I love you guys to death. Thank you,” before embracing both players.
Green, 36, confirmed after the loss that he will not retire. He holds a $27.6 million player option for 2026-27 and said he hopes to remain with the Warriors. Curry, who turns 38 next month, has one season and $62.6 million left on his deal and is “for sure” open to extension discussions this summer.
Curry reiterated his preference for Kerr to stay but said he wants the coach to be “excited for the job.” Kerr acknowledged that his relationship with the two-time MVP will factor into any decision, adding, “I would never walk away from Steph.”
The Warriors have not announced a timeline beyond Kerr’s stated one-to-two-week evaluation period.
Source: ESPN
