Steve Kerr is set to return as head coach of the Golden State Warriors after reportedly signing a two-year contract extension, which is rumored to make him one of the highest-paid coaches in the NBA on an annual basis.
First reported by Shams Charania on X, the 60-year-old coach is now expected to enter his 13th season with the Warriors following three weeks of intensive discussions with owner Joe Lacob and general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr.
What Made Steve Kerr Stay? Coaching Is in His DNA
Amid multiple reports suggesting that Steve Kerr could eventually transition into a media-related role—similar to former Golden State Warriors general manager Bob Myers, who became an NBA analyst for ESPN from 2023 to 2025—the multi-time champion coach reportedly had no interest in stepping away from the sidelines.
Why? According to Anthony Slater of ESPN, Kerr still has the desire to coach, with the intense competitiveness of the NBA remaining deeply embedded in him.
The Warriors’ management was also reportedly committed to keeping the current core of the team intact and transforming the roster into a legitimate championship contender once again. If the organization had decided to enter a rebuilding phase, retaining Steve Kerr likely would not have been the ideal direction.
The Final Years of Steph Curry and Draymond Green
With the former Chicago Bulls guard back in the driver’s seat, expect him to maximize the remaining prime years of both Stephen Curry and Draymond Green.
The 38-year-old Curry is widely expected to receive a contract extension this summer, especially with one year still remaining on his current deal worth $62.6 million for the 2026–27 NBA season.
As for the 36-year-old Green, he holds a $27.6 million player option that could become a valuable salary-matching asset in any mid- to large-scale trade the Golden State Warriors may pursue if he chooses to opt in.
However, there have been no reports or indications that the Warriors are considering trading Green. If anything, he remains a crucial part of the team’s identity, with his versatility and leadership continuing to play a major role in Golden State’s winning culture.
Can the Warriors Compete for a Championship with Steve Kerr Back?
Perhaps the biggest question surrounding the Warriors is whether they can still compete for a championship over the next two years with Steve Kerr remaining as head coach.
The answer could very well be yes—but only if major sacrifices are made should the Warriors pursue superstars such as Giannis Antetokounmpo or Kawhi Leonard this offseason. There is no denying that Golden State’s current roster is still in need of another superstar-caliber player.
Such a move would likely mean that some of the team’s promising young players, including Brandin Podziemski, Quinten Post, and Will Richard, could find themselves wearing different jerseys next season.
At the same time, however, the Warriors’ core is getting older, making it equally important for the franchise to retain younger pieces if they hope to remain competitive and healthy throughout a postseason run.
On the other hand, there are also reasons to doubt Golden State’s championship chances. The Warriors have ended up in the Play-In Tournament twice over the past three years, and critics argue that Kerr has struggled to consistently develop rookies into superstar-level talents.
The franchise has also not landed a major free-agent signing in recent years aside from acquiring Jimmy Butler III in 2025.
Earlier this year, Golden State reportedly had an opportunity to pursue Michael Porter Jr. of the Brooklyn Nets after Butler suffered a torn ACL, but the move ultimately did not materialize.
Still, if there is one clear takeaway from Steve Kerr’s extension, it is that owner Joe Lacob and general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. remain committed to chasing another title. Because of that, Warriors fans can expect the organization to make bold and ambitious moves this offseason in hopes of reclaiming its championship glory.
