Everything Steve Kerr Said About Return to Warriors on New Contract After Missing NBA Playoffs
Now that Steve Kerr is officially returning as head coach of the Golden State Warriors, the next step will be figuring out how to get the team back into playoff contention in the Western Conference.
Speaking to reporters for the first time since agreeing to a two-year contract to remain with the Warriors, Kerr explained part of his deliberation process before returning was coming up with a plan alongside governor Joe Lacob and general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr.:
"We had to come to a much more reality-based shared vision on what success looks like for us. What are we trying to accomplish? Because for the first time since our injury-plagued year (2019-20), we aren't sitting here saying, 'Hey, we can win a championship.' I don't need to say that. We know that right this second. But we had to hash that out. We had to talk about those things."
One thing Kerr made sure to emphasize throughout his press conference was he doesn't feel any burn out from the job, which he has had since May 2014.
Even though Dunleavy left open the possibility of trading the No. 11 pick in the 2026 draft if it would help the Warriors to upgrade their roster, Kerr said a rookie "has to play" if they end up holding on to their first-round selection.
"I've talked to Mike. I don't know the draft, but he feels really strongly we're going to get a good player. It could be a 19-year-old and it could be someone older. ... That guy has to play. He's got to earn it. But we're committed to the development of our young players."
While much of the media session was about looking forward, Kerr also spoke about the 2025-26 season and shouldered a lot of responsibility for the team's 37-45 record.
"I know I have to be better," Kerr said. "I didn't have a great coaching year."
Kerr also expressed disappointment in some of the sloppy play they had, in addition to issues related to injuries and rest required since their top stars are all older players.
"We got a little too loose," he explained. "Literally loose with the ball. But because of our age, because of our injuries, we spent a lot of time resting. So I've got to tighten the ship up next year."
Amid all of the chaos from last season, Kerr did praise Stephen Curry for his continued leadership without feeling the need to throw his weight around in an attempt to pressure the front office:
"One of the strong points of our organization is that our best player, who is one of the greatest players in the history of the game, is not telling Mike or Joe what to do. He understands the repercussions of that if he wanted to go down that path. It's not healthy. It usually doesn't work out well when a player wants to dictate what an organization does. Steph has always recognized the sanctity of that wall."
Kerr is by far the most successful head coach in Warriors history. He's the franchise's all-time leader in wins (604), winning percentage (.631) and playoff wins (104). He is one of six coaches in NBA history with at least four championships.
Having just completed his 12th season with the Warriors, Kerr is the second-longest tenured head coach in the league right now. Only Erik Spoelstra, who has been with the Miami Heat for 18 seasons, is ahead of him.
