Steve Kerr Signs New Two-Year Deal to Stay With Warriors

While the NBA playoffs roll on, there are things going on for teams that either missed the postseason or already eliminated. The NBA Draft lottery takes place Sunday afternoon, which sets the draft order for the 14 teams in the lottery. In addition, there are teams still sorting out their front office and coaching situations. The hope is that the 2026-27 campaign turns out better than the 2025-26 one did, though that remains a mystery.

One team made their decision Saturday. The Golden State Warriors and Steve Kerr announced a two-year extension. As a result, his tenure with the team continues. Kerr remains the league’s highest paid coach according to sources. What does that mean for Golden State going forward? Let’s break it down.

Running It Back

Golden State has a solid track record under Kerr. He’s been at the helm for 12 seasons, making the playoffs eight times. The Warriors made the play-in tournament in three other seasons though they failed to make the field. That means Golden State at least made the play-in tournament in 11 of 12 seasons. The lone miss came in the 2019-20 campaign, when they finished 15-50.

Golden State has four NBA titles and six NBA Finals appearances to their credit since Kerr took over. That’s a far cry compared to the success the franchise had prior to his hiring. After all, Golden State had just three NBA titles and six Finals appearances between 1946-47 and 2013-14. When a franchise has more success in just over a decade than they did in more than 65 years, the guy in charge earned good will.

In his coaching career, Kerr is 604-353 in the regular season. During postseason play, the Warriors are 104-48 under him en route to those four titles. Golden State hoisted the Larry O’Brien Trophy in 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2022. The Warriors may be best known for blowing a 3-1 lead in the 2016 Finals, falling to Cleveland in seven games. Golden State also fell in six games to the Raptors in the 2019 NBA Finals.

Is It the Right Move?

That one may be up for debate. On one side, as mentioned, Kerr has a ton of good will with the fan base. He also has plenty of experience dealing with the core of the Warriors’ roster, anchored by Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. Kerr has five rings from his time as a player (three with the Bulls and two with San Antonio) in addition to his four as coach of the Warriors. It’s hard to argue against that sort of pedigree, especially in today’s era.

On the other hand, that factor may be why Kerr is still around instead of the team making a move. After all, Curry is 38. Green is 36, Jimmy Butler turns 37 in September and Gary Payton II turns 34 in December. In addition, Seth Curry turns 36 in August, Al Horford is 40 in June and even Kristaps Porzingis turns 31 in August. It’s safe to assume when Curry retires, Kerr is finished as well. It puts a finite time clock on the greatest era of success the franchise has enjoyed.

Can he get them back for one last run? That’s a question yet to have an answer. One thing is certain either way. Kerr earned the right to go out on his own terms. Choosing to come back was his choice. Now, he has to make it pay off.