There was significant uncertainty about Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr and what he would do after his contract expired at the end of the 2025-26 season.
The answer has been given. Kerr and the Warriors agreed on a two-year contract extension that will keep him in Golden State through the 2027-28 season. The Warriors’ head coach will be getting paid $17.5 million over the span of the contract.
Kerr’s deal “will keep him as the highest-paid coach in the NBA annually,” ESPN said.
Warriors fans have been relieved by the news, given the large amount of interest Steve Kerr has received in the media side of the NBA. According to sources, including USA TODAY’s Mack Baltes, Kerr was offered a seven-figure deal with ESPN to become a lead analyst with the company. The 60-year-old ultimately turned down the offer to remain with the Warriors.
Warriors GM Issues Statement After Steve Kerr Extension
The Golden State Warriors’ general manager for the past three years, Mike Dunleavy Jr., issued a statement following Steve Kerr’s contract extension.
“We’re thrilled that Steve’s tenure with the Warriors will continue. His impact on our franchise has been enormous, well beyond the championships and incredible on-court success,” the former NBA player turned front office member said. “The character and leadership that he exudes each day helps set the tone for what we hope our franchise represents both now and in the future.
Kerr, alongside franchise superstar Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, has put together one of the greatest legacies in basketball since the trio came together in 2014.
Golden State has won four NBA championships (2015, 2017, 2018, 2022), six Western Conference championships (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022), the most successful regular season in NBA history (73-9 record in 2015-16), and a 604-353 record in Kerr’s 12-year tenure.
Kerr issued a statement after the new deal as well.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to continue coaching this team,” Kerr said. “This organization has meant so much to me for the last 12 years – from ownership to our players, our staff, and our fans – and it’s an incredible privilege to be a part of something so special. I’m excited to keep competing with this group.”
Anthony Slater on Steve Kerr Extension: ‘Everything Points to Steph Curry.’
During the long gap between the Warriors’ playoff elimination and Steve Kerr agreeing to a contract extension, ESPN’s Anthony Slater reported that Stephen Curry played a major role in Kerr’s return.
“(Steve Kerr) thought about it a ton,” the insider said. “The start of that second week, the Monday meeting that we reported on was with Joe Lacob and Mike Dunleavy. To me, that is when they all came together for two hours at the Chase Center facility and decided they did want to move forward.”
“From the Steve Kerr side, I think everything points to Steph Curry. There is a real desire over the next couple of years,” Slater added. “They’re probably not chasing championships, but they want to guide this Steph Curry era out in a dignified way. All sides, including Steve Kerr, agreed he was the right coach to do that.”
How it ends matters to the franchise.
With this being said, could this mean that Steph Curry’s career is coming to an end?
Curry, 38, is in line to make $62.58 million in his final year under contract with the Warriors in 2026-27. When comparing Steve Kerr’s deal, the coach has an additional year in comparison to the Warriors’ superstar.
This could mean that Steph Curry is looking to sign one more extension with the Warriors. Something like this would line up the coach and the players’ last hoorah before possibly calling it quits.
Warriors GM Issues Statement on Steve Kerr Extension