Steve Kerr discusses coaching future after Warriors' play-in loss

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Steve Kerr discusses coaching future after Warriors' play-in loss

Originally posted on Golden State Warriors on SI
By Joey Akeley | Last updated Apr 18, 2026 2:02 AM ET

After the Golden State Warriors' season ended with a 111-96 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Friday, Steve Kerr addressed his coaching future.

Kerr is not under contract for next season. He has previously said he won't leave Stephen Curry, and Curry is under contract for the 2026-27 season.

"My plan is to take a little time, take a week or two, and eventually sit down and talk with Joe [Lacob] and Mike [Dunleavy]," Kerr said. "... Just see where they are, and I'll tell them where I am, and we'll talk about what's next for the Warriors, what the plan is this offseason, and we will come to a collaborative decision on what's next.

"I don't know what's going to happen. I still love coaching. But I get it. These jobs all have an expiration date."

Steve Kerr shares his plans for the future with his contract set to expire at the end of the season pic.twitter.com/IXM0NnKunl
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) April 18, 2026

In his 12 years as head coach, Kerr has guided the Warriors to six Finals appearances and four championships.

Kerr seems to be saying that he wants to be back if the Warriors are still trying to contend. The question is how much pressure he would apply on team governor Joe Lacob and general manager Mike Dunleavy to trade future draft capital for one more major contributor.

Does Lacob want Kerr back, and is he willing to pay another tax bill to help the Warriors contend? He might not be willing to trade significant future draft capital for anyone unless it's for Giannis Antetokounmpo.

But perhaps Kerr would be OK with that. Although it's clear that this roster is short at least one starting-level player to win a championship, it would at least be interesting if healthy with Curry, Jimmy Butler, Moses Moody, Green, Porzingis and Brandin Podziemski.

In Kerr's eyes, that roster could be good enough for another year.

This article first appeared on Golden State Warriors on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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