Perhaps not even he knows.
When Steve Kerr signed a record-breaking extension with the Golden State Warriors earlier this summer, the timeline could not have been more predictable: two additional years tacked onto the end of the 2023-24 NBA season.
The predictable timeline? Right in lockstep with Steph Curry’s four-year, $215 million contract. Barring any additional extensions, both Kerr and Curry will see their contracts expire at the conclusion of the 2025-26 season. Which brings us to the question: how long will Kerr coach for?
It’s a funny question when you consider Kerr’s history. As a player, the sharpshooting role player was best known for his time spent under arguably the two greatest coaches in NBA history: Gregg Popovich and Phil Jackson. And those two couldn’t have more different paths for their coaching tenures. Popovich just finished his 28th consecutive season at the helm of the San Antonio Spurs and, invigorated by the arrival of Victor Wembanyama, doesn’t seem likely step away anytime soon. Jackson, on the other hand, spent nine years with the Chicago Bulls and then 11 with the Los Angeles Lakers, staying long enough to build dynasties before leaving — arguably of his own volition, arguably forced out — right before everything fell apart.
Kerr strikes me as some combination of the two. Like Popovich, I expect Kerr to only coach for one team in his career — I don’t think it’s very likely that he takes Jackson’s approach, and tries to find the Kobe Bryant to his version of Michael Jordan (Curry). But like Jackson, I don’t anticipate Kerr sitting through rebuilds and lottery-bound seasons. You can bet a whole lot of money that Kerr won’t come close to Pop’s 28 seasons (and counting).
Much, I would assume, depends on the relationships he builds with the next generation of Warriors stars (should they emerge). Fans may view Kerr’s extension as the coach wanting to align with Curry’s contract, but it’s probably best to view it the other way around: Curry has made it clear that he has no desire to play for any other coach, and inking Kerr to a new deal was Joe Lacob’s way of making sure the face of the franchise knows there’s stability at the Chase Center.
It’s hard for me to imagine Kerr walking away from the Warriors while Curry is still there; and harder still if Draymond Green and/or Klay Thompson are. But when those three hang up their sneakers, what will be left Kerr’s relationship with Jonathan Kuminga, Brandin Podziemski, Trayce Jackson-Davis, and any other young player who looks worthy of building around? Perhaps he’ll find compelling reasons to try and build the next era of Dubs basketball.
But if I had to bet? When 2026 rolls around, Curry and Kerr would figure out how much is left in their individual tanks, as well as the team’s. And then I’d expect a new contract — just one or two years — for each. Again aligning. Again ending together.