There’s a lot of uncertainty surrounding the future of the Golden State Warriors these days. After failing to make the playoffs for the second time in the last three seasons, every member of the Warriors’ organization is taking a step back to assess their next steps, including head coach Steve Kerr.
After the Warriors lost the Play-In game against the Phoenix Suns, essentially ending their rollercoaster season, Kerr revealed he would spend the next few weeks thinking about whether he should return as the Warriors’ head coach.
While there has been a lot of sentimentality regarding Kerr’s tenure in the Bay Area and what the future could be like, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst shed more light on the situation, saying it involves money more than Xs and Os.
A hefty price tag
In 2024, the Warriors re-signed Kerr to a two-year, $35 million deal. After leading them to four NBA titles since 2015, the man undoubtedly deserved every penny. However, Windy reported that any future deal Kerr could have with Golden State might not come at the same price point.
“The Steve Kerr situation, I think there’s a nuance that people need to understand. And I know Golden State Warriors fans probably understand this. There’s not a contract sitting on the table for Steve Kerr. It’s not like they’ve said, ‘Steve, just re-sign,’” the ESPN veteran reported.
“I’m not saying they wouldn’t re-sign him, but he makes $17 million. And I’m not sure, you know, when they paid him that contract, the Warriors were competing to win the West. That’s not the case anymore,” he continued.
The Warriors used to be the NBA’s apex predators, shredding everyone in their path. These days, they have become the prey, morsels of meat that current powerhouse teams are more than happy to devour.
Yes, Steph Curry remains an elite scorer and playmaker, but this season he played just 43 games due to injuries. And at 38, it’s not feasible to think he’s going to come close to playing 82 games in the seasons to come. This basically means the Warriors, as most basketball fans have come to know them, might no longer exist.
A lot of variables to consider
A large market like San Francisco will always be an attractive destination for the NBA’s biggest superstars — something the Warriors are banking on if they try to lure two-time MVP winner Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Bay Area.
But until that happens, Windy relayed that the Warriors’ front office is hesitant to sign off on a major deal for Kerr given the team’s current state.
“This team’s not going to win the West next year. They’re not going to compete to win the West next year. I don’t even know what Jimmy Butler is going to be able to give them,” Windhorst conveyed.
“I’m not sure they’re in the mood to pay their coach $17 million—any coach. I don’t care if Red Auerbach in his prime comes back. I think the money is an issue.”
The Warriors have a lot of things going on in their kitchen. Draymond Green, Al Horford and De’Anthony Melton all have player options that they have until June 29 to decide on. Curry and Brandin Podziemski are also candidates for contract extensions. The Warriors have a lot of their table, but everything could change if they can’t keep Kerr at the head of it.