Warriors Extend Coach Steve Kerr’s Contract for 2 Years: Sources
In some exciting news for Golden State Warriors fans, it has been confirmed that head coach Steve Kerr has agreed to a contract extension with the team. With less than a half-season remaining on his current coaching contract, Kerr has signed on for two more years, with a lucrative deal worth $35 million. This new contract makes him the second highest-paid coach in the NBA on a per season basis, only trailing Gregg Popovich.
Kerr has been with the Warriors for an impressive 10 seasons, during which he has led the team to four NBA titles. This makes him one of the most successful coaches in the league, and his tenure with the Warriors has solidified his place as one of the greats in NBA coaching history. In fact, he is the third longest-tenured coach in the NBA, behind only Erik Spoelstra and Popovich.
One interesting aspect of Kerr’s contract extension is its shortened length. The two-year deal aligns perfectly with star player Steph Curry’s contract, which has two years remaining after this season. This suggests that Kerr intends to ride out the Curry era and continue coaching the team as they strive to reclaim their position as title contenders. With Curry’s contract expiring when he turns 38, Kerr’s extension sets him up to guide the Warriors through this crucial period.
There was little doubt that this deal would get done, as majority owner Joe Lacob has consistently expressed his faith in Kerr and his willingness to pay what is necessary to keep him. Kerr himself has shown no signs of coaching burnout and has indicated his intention to stick around. In fact, he will also be coaching Team USA at the Olympics this summer, with Curry expected to participate in Paris.
The Warriors have experienced a challenging season, marked by drama, underperformance, and tragedy. The suspensions of key player Draymond Green sent the team into a downward spiral, and they reached a low point with a 19-24 record. The emotional blow of assistant coach Dejan Milojevic’s passing after suffering a heart attack at a team dinner further shook the team. However, there have been recent signs of improvement on the court. Green has returned and performed well, and young players like Jonathan Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski have shown promising development. Additionally, Klay Thompson has accepted a bench role, indicating his commitment to the team’s success. The Warriors have won nine of their last 11 games and are steadily climbing up the standings.
With Kerr’s contract extension, the Warriors have secured a sense of stability and continuity in their coaching staff. As they navigate through the challenges of the current season and prepare for the future, Kerr’s experience and leadership will undoubtedly play a crucial role in the team’s success. With their coach’s future secured, Warriors fans can look forward to more exciting seasons ahead.
[Photo: Kirby Lee / USA Today]