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Steve Kerr and Steph Curry of the Golden State Warriors.
The Golden State Warriors have their answer. After three weeks of deliberation, Steve Kerr agreed to a two-year contract to return as head coach, keeping him in place for what will be his 13th season with the franchise. nba/story/_/id/48724788/steve-kerr-agrees-2-year-deal-remain-warriors” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>The deal makes Kerr the highest-paid coach in the NBA, maintaining the rate he was on previously at $17.5 million per season.
The uncertainty that had hung over the organization since the Warriors were eliminated by the Phoenix Suns in the play-in tournament is now resolved. What comes next is the more pressing conversation.
With Kerr back, the front office has a clear direction. And according to ESPN, they intend to pursue it aggressively.
BREAKING: Steve Kerr has agreed on a new two-year contract to return as head coach of the Golden State Warriors, Dan Eveloff and Rick Smith of @PrioritySports tell me, @anthonyVslater and @ramonashelburne. After three weeks of extensive conversations, Kerr and the Warriors agreed
GettyStephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors.
Per ESPN’s reporting, the Warriors front office plans to be aggressive in rearranging the roster around Stephen Curry to make another serious push at competing in the Western Conference. Curry has one year remaining on his current deal, and extension conversations are expected to take place later this summer. A new deal would give Curry and Kerr the opportunity to finish their 14-year partnership together, potentially running through the 2027-28 season when Curry would be 40 years old.
The NBA Draft lottery on Sunday adds another variable. The Warriors hold the 11th-best odds, giving them a 9.4% chance of moving into the top four of a loaded draft class. If Golden State gets lucky and lands a top-three pick, generational prospects like AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, or Cam Boozer could contribute immediately and extend the window around Curry in a meaningful way. If the pick stays at eleven, it becomes a more valuable trade chip than a development project.
Draymond Green also has a decision to make on his player option. Whether he opts in, opts out, or becomes part of a larger deal will shape what the front office can realistically put together this summer. Kristaps Porzingis is on an expiring contract, which gives Golden State flexibility. They could bring him back on a team-friendly deal or explore him as a sign-and-trade asset to add a different piece.
Jimmy Butler carries a tradeable salary despite missing at least the first half of next season due to injury. That makes him a useful piece in a potential deal even if his on-court contributions will be limited early. The right team might value his contract enough to move a meaningful asset in return.
GettyKawhi Leonard of the Los Angeles Clippers.
The names the Warriors have been connected to range from realistic to ambitious. Kawhi Leonard stands out as one of the more intriguing fits. His contract salary aligns with Butler’s, which could make a swap workable on paper. The Los Angeles Clippers would likely ask for Golden State’s first-round pick this year plus a collection of future assets, making it an expensive but not unreasonable ask for a two-time Finals MVP.
Lauri Markkanen has been mentioned as a younger option who could fit the Warriors’ system. Golden State also had reported interest in Trey Murphy last season, and that pursuit could resurface as the front office looks to add youth and athleticism alongside Curry.
Giannis Antetokounmpo remains the dream. He is the kind of player who would immediately make Golden State a legitimate title contender alongside Curry. The reality, however, is more complicated. Reports suggest Antetokounmpo prefers to stay on the East Coast if he does move on from Milwaukee, which would put the Warriors at a disadvantage in that sweepstakes regardless of what they offer.
The alternative is a more deliberate approach, targeting veterans on favorable deals to build an experienced roster for one more run. LeBron James has also been floated as a possibility, a pairing with Curry that would be one of the most compelling storylines in recent NBA history. Either way, the front office has made its intentions clear. This offseason is not about patience.
GettyHead coach Steve Kerr, Stephen Curry and Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors hug during the final moments of an NBA play-in tournament game against the Phoenix Suns.
The road to this decision was not straightforward. When the Warriors’ season ended in Phoenix, Kerr was mic’d up on the court with Curry and Green. It felt like it could have been a farewell. As he told the two: “I don’t know what’s gonna happen next, but I love you guys to death.”
Kerr was candid throughout the deliberation process about the possibility of walking away. He acknowledged that coaching jobs have an expiration date. Green himself predicted Kerr would not return. The Warriors front office quietly gathered information on potential replacements.
None of it led to a split. Lacob, Dunleavy, and Curry never wanted one. The conversations over the past two weeks covered everything from offensive philosophy to roster direction to contract terms. By Friday night the framework was in place. By Saturday morning it was done.
Kerr is back. Curry is the centerpiece. The front office has made clear they are not in rebuilding mode.
The offseason is just getting started. The lottery is Sunday. Extension talks with Curry are coming. The aggressive roster moves the front office is promising will follow.
One more run. That is what this is about.
Keith Watkins Keith Watkins is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, and Los Angeles Lakers. He previously wrote for FanSided, NBA Analysis Network, and Last Word On Sports. Keith is based in Bangkok, Thailand. More about Keith Watkins
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