Draymond Green hopes Steve Kerr returns for another season as the Golden State Warriors coach. But he’s not counting on it.
Green offered his thoughts on Kerr’s future with the team, as part of the latest episode of his podcast, “The Draymond Green Show,” released on Monday, April 20, less than a week after the Warriors’ season ended with a loss to the Phoenix Suns in the NBA’s Play-In Tournament.
The game ended with Kerr gathering Green and Warriors superstar Stephen Curry on the sideline for an embrace in which he appeared to acknowledge it could be his final game as the Warriors’ coach. Kerr told Green and Curry, according to audio captured by Prime Video, “I don’t know what’s going to happen next, but I love you guys to death. Thank you. I appreciate you.”
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Kerr’s contract expired after this season and the team told reporters Monday that Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy won’t speak publicly until Kerr and Golden State come to a resolution. Green acknowledged Kerr’s words would provide some closure if his run as coach is over.
“Steph, myself, Steve shared a moment in what could be our last time playing with Steve as our coach,” Green said. “I’m happy we got to share that moment, like he didn’t miss the moment. It was a big deal. I hope he’s our coach next year. You want my opinion? I think not, just because it feels like that. It felt like that was it.”
Green went on to note that he’s “never been so uncertain since early in my career on what happens next.” The 36-year-old forward has a $27.6 million player option on the final year of his current contract that he can exercise to remain with Golden State next season.
Kerr has been the Warriors’ coach since 2014, leading the franchise to four NBA championships with Curry and Green serving as the team’s cornerstones throughout the run.
Both Curry and Green could become free agents after the 2026-27 season if they don’t sign contract extensions with Golden State this offseason. Curry has indicated he would like Kerr to return if that’s what the coach wants to do.
The ball is in Kerr’s court now.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Draymond Green believes Steve Kerr is done as Warriors coach
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