After weeks of speculation, Steve Kerr has made his decision: he is returning to the Golden State Warriors on a new two-year deal. ESPN reported the news on Saturday night, delivering a significant boost to an organization eager to extend its championship window alongside Stephen Curry. While the move provides continuity on the sidelines, it also sharpens the focus on one of the franchise’s most critical unanswered questions— the future of Draymond Green.
The Warriors enter the offseason with multiple moving pieces, including Jimmy Butler’s recovery from a torn ACL. Yet the Green situation takes precedence. Early indicators, according to those close to the organization, point toward a higher likelihood of Green staying in Golden State than departing. Far from viewing his presence as a potential curse or savior in binary terms, the Warriors see a more nuanced and ultimately positive picture.
ESPN’s Anthony Slater reported that sources within the organization have left the door open for a long-term extension, with substantive discussions expected once the market opens in June and July. In the immediate term, Green holds considerable control over his short-term future. The veteran forward has until June 29 to decide whether to exercise his $27.6 million player option for what will be his age-36 season and 15th year in the NBA.
Importantly, the Warriors currently have no intention of shopping Green or pushing him to decline that option. Their internal evaluation remains constructive on both ends of the equation. On the court, the organization still regards him as an “additive winner” whose elite defensive instincts and basketball IQ elevate significantly when the stakes are highest. Off the court, Green delivered a positive season as a leader. His basketball acumen and voice are valued so highly that he essentially functions as another assistant coach on the floor.
These assessments are grounded in Green’s 2025-26 performance. He appeared in 68 games, averaging 8.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game while shooting 41.8% from the field and 32.6% from three-point range. The numbers reflect a player who has evolved into a connector and defensive anchor rather than a primary scorer—precisely the role the Warriors have long thrived with.
A Relationship Built on Trust and Shared Success
The decision by Kerr to return sends a subtle but powerful signal. Throughout their shared history, Kerr and Green have experienced both triumph and tension, yet their partnership has consistently produced elite basketball. By committing to two more years, Kerr reinforces stability at the coaching level, which should ease Green’s decision-making process. The core trio of Curry, Green, and Klay Thompson (in spirit, if not always on the roster) has defined an era. Extending that chemistry, even as roles evolve, remains central to Golden State’s competitive identity.
Of course, the situation is not without risk. Green will turn 36 during the 2026-27 season, and durability will remain a key variable. However, the organization’s willingness to view him as a leader and tactical extension of the coaching staff suggests they are betting on his basketball intelligence and experience outweighing any potential physical decline.
As the calendar turns toward June, all eyes will be on Green’s choice regarding his player option and the subsequent conversations about a longer-term commitment. For now, Kerr’s return removes one major variable and tilts the outlook in favor of continuity in the Warriors’ frontcourt and locker room.
The narrative around Draymond Green has often swung between extremes—hero, villain, indispensable piece, or liability. The organization’s current stance cuts through that noise. Steve Kerr’s decision to stay suggests the Warriors believe Green remains part of the solution, not a problem to be solved. In a league that moves quickly, that measured confidence may prove to be the most important development of the early offseason.