Steve Kerr acknowledged Friday night that he is unsure whether he will remain head coach of the Golden State Warriors next season, though he emphasized he has no intention of leading a different NBA franchise.
The 12-year Warriors coach spoke after Golden State’s 111-96 play-in tournament loss to the Phoenix Suns, a defeat that ended the club’s season and allowed Kerr’s contract to lapse. He said he plans to take “a week or two” before sitting down with controlling owner Joe Lacob and general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. to discuss his future and the organization’s offseason blueprint.
“We’ll talk about what’s next for the Warriors, what the plan is this offseason, and we’ll come to a collaborative decision on what’s next,” Kerr told reporters, according to the Associated Press. “I still love coaching, but these jobs have an expiration date. When a run ends, sometimes it’s time for new blood and new ideas.”
Kerr, 60, has guided Golden State to four championships with core stars Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. Both players have publicly expressed hope that he returns for a 13th campaign. Each has one season remaining on his contract, though Green can decline a $27.6 million option and enter free agency.
“I want Coach to be happy,” Curry said. “He knows how I feel about him.” Green added, “I don’t love change, so I hope that’s not the case.”
Moments before the final buzzer Friday, Kerr hugged Curry and Green and told them, “I don’t know what’s going to happen next, but I love you guys to death. Thank you.”
Kerr reiterated that his loyalty to Curry is a major factor in his decision. “I’m definitely not going to coach somewhere else next year,” he said, as reported by ESPN’s Anthony Slater. “I would never walk away from Steph, but everything has to be aligned and right.”
Source: Hoops Rumors
