Steve Kerr stays with the GSW: “It was never about money”

After weeks of doubts and reflection, the decision Golden State had hoped for finally arrived: Steve Kerr will remain head coach of the Golden State Warriors. Kerr agreed to a two-year extension with the California franchise and will now continue his run on the Bay Area bench through at least the 2027-28 season.

A move that ends the speculation surrounding the past few weeks, especially after a difficult season that ended outside the playoffs. Kerr had repeatedly suggested that his future was far from certain.

Kerr still the highest-paid coach in the NBA

The new deal will also allow Kerr to remain the highest annual-paid coach in the entire NBA. Last season, he reportedly earned around $17.5 million, another sign of the enormous weight he still carries inside the Warriors organization.

In recent days, Kerr held several meetings with owner Joe Lacob and GM Mike Dunleavy. On the table was not only money, but above all the team’s basketball future: offensive identity, roster construction, and long-term outlook.

The message from inside the franchise was clear:

It was never about money. We had to make the best basketball decision

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Doubts after a disappointing season

Kerr’s return was far from guaranteed. Back in October, he had explained that he did not want to discuss an immediate extension, preferring to focus on the season before deciding his future.

Then came a difficult year: the Warriors finished 10th in the West with a 37-45 record and were eliminated by the Phoenix Suns in the Play-In. A result that sparked major reflection from both the coach and the organization.

After the elimination, Kerr was very honest:

I still love coaching, but I understand how this job works. Everything has an expiration date. Sometimes, when a cycle ends, new ideas are needed

Steve Kerr

Steph Curry’s message

Despite the doubts, the franchise’s most important figures never truly wanted a split. Joe Lacob, Mike Dunleavy, and especially Steph Curry consistently pushed to keep moving forward together.

After the season ended, the Warriors star said this about his coach:

I want Coach to be happy. I want him excited about his job and convinced he’s still the right person for this team. He knows exactly how I feel about him

Steph Curry

Now comes the most delicate part. The Warriors want to use Kerr’s return to immediately reshape the roster. The front office is reportedly ready to move aggressively through free agency and trades to build a more competitive team around Curry.

Because time is running short, and everyone in Golden State knows the final run of the Steph Curry era has already begun.