The Golden State Warriors’ tumultuous season — plagued by season-ending injuries to Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody and a 27-game absence from their franchise superstar due to a persistent runner’s knee issue — has come to an ultimate end tonight against the Phoenix Suns.
Steph Curry could not muster enough energy to carry the Warriors anew, with his runner’s knee issue flaring up tonight. That spelled doom for the Warriors, who go into an offseason with uncertainty and questions abound.
One of those
questions: What will be the fate of head coach Steve Kerr, who has played out the last year of his contract?
As of this writing, Kerr and the Warriors’ front office hasn’t had an agreement to renew his tenure that has lasted for 12 seasons, producing eight playoff berths, six Finals appearances and four NBA Championships.
When asked about his future, Kerr was noncommittal about providing a definite answer.
Steve Kerr said he will take a week or two to think about his future and discuss it with Joe Lacob and Mike Dunleavy.
He acknowledged there is an “expiration date” on the job and it’s possible new blood is needed. Said he may return or may not. Doesn’t know yet.
Full sound pic.twitter.com/FMWeBxOkHB— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) April 18, 2026
If Kerr does decide to call it a day, it will be a coaching career unmatched by any save for a select and hallowed few. Brought in to instill an offense that did not live up to its potential under Mark Jackson, he helped transform a perennial All-Star in Curry into a bona fide MVP talent and all-time great, empowered a second-round draft pick toward becoming an all-time defender, and maximized the potential of his rosters, all while sticking to what worked defensively under Jackson’s tenure.
Should Kerr decide to return, it wouldn’t be farfetched to assume it would be a one-year deal, which would put him on the same timeline as Curry, who only has one year left on his current deal. Kerr stated that he would not leave the Warriors in order to coach another team that did not have Curry on it.
Steve Kerr: “I don’t want to walk away from Steph. I’m definitely not going and coaching somewhere else next year in the NBA. … I would never walk away from Steph.”
— Dalton Johnson (@DaltonJ_Johnson) April 18, 2026
Whatever ends up being the decision, this loss marks a turning point in the Warriors’ fading dynasty.
