Warriors owner throwing Steve Kerr under the bus could be a sign that changes are imminent

Perhaps Lacob didn't expect the conversation to be shared on Reddit specifically, but he had to know that the communication was in no way private. He essentially joined the public debate critiquing Kerr, who is only under contract through the end of this season.

The Warriors are a disappointing 13-14, thanks to injuries to Curry and vaunted offseason signing Al Horford, who has missed the last 14 games. Kerr's coaching has been picked apart, from his treatment and development of young players Jonathan Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski to his style of offense, one that maximizes Curry but often frustrates his teammates.

Steve Kerr could be part of a Warriors shakeup

It's not just Lacob in the Warriors organization who has issues with Kerr. Jimmy Butler has taken thinly veiled shots at the coaching, telling Marcus Thompson III of The Athletic that Curry and Draymond Green "get to make as many turnovers as humanly possible," though he joked that it was OK because "the world isn't fair."

But it's telling that Lacob specifically defended Butler, who is signed through next season — one year longer than Kerr. There's no outright signs of dissension, and Kerr went out of his way after Sunday's 136-131 loss to the Portland Trail Blazer to explain how the team could help Butler succeed. He declined to respond directly to Lacob's email, saying only that "you really don't want...private emails posted."

Butler hasn't been shy about complaining about his coaches or following his own interests in his career, forcing his way off at least three NBA teams in the past. Now he's received an implicit endorsement that the team owner is unhappy with his coach as well.

Kerr signed his most recent extension near the end of the 2023-24 season, a few months before his contract expired. This time, the clock may be running out on Kerr's time with Golden State.