According to Brett Siegel, the Warriors and Kerr will begin conversations this week, “With internal meetings already commencing over the weekend, Kerr and the organization are expected to come to terms on what is next this week. By the start of May, there should be a clear answer as to whether Kerr will be the head coach of the Warriors entering the 2026-27 season.”

However, neither Golden State’s front office nor Kerr has made a final decision yet, but it has been made clear that a direction for the franchise will be presented when Dunleavy, the scouts, and others travel to the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago during the second week of May.

Kerr wants to set conditions

In the same report, Siegel revealed that Kerr will inform the Warriors of what he wants to remain the team’s head coach; negotiations could become complicated. Everything depends on what the Warriors’ plans are.

Kerr does not want to leave Curry and Green high and dry. For years, the ideology surrounding the Golden State has been that all three members of this championship era would see things through together. Specifically, Kerr and Curry would retire together.

But the timeline for Green’s eventual retirement appears to be ahead of Curry’s, and Kerr’s immediate future will be decided in a matter of days. It is worth noting that Green and Curry are still under contract with the Warriors for at least one more season.

Over the last twelve years, Kerr and the franchise have experienced nearly everything together in the NBA. It feels somewhat unusual that there is so little clarity about the future of their partnership, but it is not uncommon for those in charge of a team with a veteran roster to reevaluate the direction of the franchise after a 37-45 season.

According to Anthony Slater, Steve Kerr has made no decision yet regarding his future coaching the Golden State Warriors, and both sides do not expect to reach a firm determination until next week at the earliest. “It’s April,” one team source said. “We don’t need to rush.”

And that is fine, allowing time to clear the mind and think carefully about what could be one of the most difficult decisions of his life due to everything he has experienced with the Warriors, and it could also mark the end of an era that may define the final chapter for another star like Draymond Green.

The last time Kerr and the Warriors reached an agreement

It has been a considerable amount of time since the last time the Warriors and Steve Kerr had to sit down to decide their future together from a contractual standpoint. Notably, 2024 was the last time Coach Kerr and the Warriors agreed to a deal.

It was a two-year contract worth 35 million. Reportedly, the Golden State Warriors management would like Coach Kerr to stay on a multi-year commitment.

This likely means that he might only exit the Warriors system at the same time as Curry and Green, or even be the one who kickstarts their post-dynasty rebuild.

Regardless, Coach Kerr knows himself better than anyone. He will be able to make a smart decision soon, and Warriors fans know better than to doubt him. After all, he led them to four Larry O’Brien trophies in the NBA.

“That’s an interesting question, Mark,” Golden said to Associated Press’ Mark Long when asked if he was “back for sure,” in a video shared by Field of 68. “I’m definitely planning on coaching the Gators.”

A recent report by Kevin O’Connor and Kelly Iko indicated that Golden was the leading candidate to succeed Kerr in case he doesn’t return to the Warriors. “If Steve Kerr leaves, the Warriors will pursue Florida Gators head coach Todd Golden, according to my league sources.”

Now, the Gators know that Golden will not be leaving for the NBA. That being said, the question many are asking is: who could become Kerr’s successor if he does not return to Golden State?

What’s next for Kerr?

Following the Golden State Warriors‘ play-in elimination, Steve Kerr faces a pivotal moment in his career as his current contract reaches its end. After 12 seasons at the helm, the future Hall of Famer has admitted that coaching positions have an “expiration date,” signaling that he is weighing a potential departure to allow for “new blood” within the organization.

While his bond with franchise cornerstone Stephen Curry remains a powerful anchor, Kerr plans to meet with owner Joe Lacob and GM Mike Dunleavy in the coming weeks to decide if he will sign a multi-year extension or step away to trigger a full-scale “organizational reset.”

A glorious career in Golden State

Steve Kerr’s 12-season tenure with the Golden State Warriors stands as one of the most dominant eras in NBA history. Since taking over in 2014, Kerr has guided the franchise to four NBA championships (2015, 2017, 2018, 2022) and six Finals appearances, while orchestrating the legendary 73–9 season in 2016.

He concludes his current run with a regular-season record of 604–353 and a stellar 104–48 mark in the playoffs, cementing his legacy as one of the winningest coaches to ever grace the sideline.

While Kerr’s departure is not yet confirmed, the franchise is aware that the possibility is real. Draymond Green even addressed Kerr’s future on The Draymond Green Show, noting that, in his view, the coach will not remain in the Bay Area.

According to Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo Sports, it is by no means guaranteed that Golden would leave Florida for the Warriors given the team’s recent struggles. Five seasons have passed since the Warriors were last crowned NBA champions; since then, they have failed to advance past the Conference Semifinals and have missed the playoffs entirely on two occasions.

Furthermore, with aging stars and the lack of a youth core to build around, O’Connor points out that Golden State is no longer in a position to simply get whoever it wants. Consequently, Golden could easily choose to remain in the NCAA ranks.

Golden has a connection with the Bay Area

Despite his success in Gainesville over the last four seasons, Todd Golden is no stranger to the San Francisco basketball scene. His connection to the region dates back to his tenure as an assistant coach at the University of San Francisco (USF) starting in 2016, followed by a highly successful three-year stint as the Dons’ head coach from 2019 to 2022.

According to O’Connor, the Warriors’ interest is far from a recent development. “League sources say they’ve long admired his coaching talent ever since he was an assistant coach at the University of San Francisco,” O’Connor reported, suggesting the Golden State front office has been monitoring his data-driven approach for years.

A proven track record of success

Golden’s track record is a testament to the consistency he has brought to the college ranks. He currently boasts an impressive 160–77 career record, highlighted by a historic National Championship run in 2025. This achievement made him only the third coach in Florida Gators history to lead the program to a national title, joining the likes of Billy Donovan.

Building on that success, Golden led Florida to an SEC regular-season title in 2026 with a dominant 16-2 conference record. His leadership didn’t go unnoticed, as he was also honored as the 2026 SEC Coach of the Year, further cementing his status as one of the elite tactical minds in the game today.

“I hope he’s our coach next year. You want my opinion? I think not… it felt like that was it,” Green admitted on the latest episode of The Draymond Green Show. Those words have sent shockwaves through the Bay Area, fueling fears that a historic era is nearing its end.

The current climate in Golden State is a far cry from the heights of the last decade. Despite an incredible tenure that includes four NBA championships and six Finals appearances, the architect of the Warriors‘ dynasty appears increasingly likely to part ways with the franchise.

Kerr recently delivered a poignant message to Stephen Curry and Green, hinting that the “Big Three” era may have finally run its course. Now, the organization faces the daunting prospect of searching for a new leader to navigate the next chapter of Warriors basketball.

Kerr’s lifeline to Draymond Green

In the high-stakes world of the NBA, there are moments when even the most seasoned veterans contemplate walking away. Green revealed that he reached that breaking point multiple times during a tumultuous season, only to be pulled back from the edge by his head coach.

“There were several times this year where I thought about quitting, and each time, he’d just say the right thing to relight that fire and make you want to go again,” Green shared, highlighting the deep psychological bond between the two.

A legacy defined: Kerr’s Golden State resume

Regardless of how the coming weeks unfold, Kerr’s 12-year run in the Bay Area remains unmatched in the modern era. He didn’t just win; he served as the architect of the greatest shooting revolution in basketball history, forever changing how the game is played at every level.

Here is a look at the Hall of Fame-caliber numbers Kerr has compiled during his time with the Warriors:

Head coach Steve Kerr was caught on camera speaking to Stephen Curry and Draymond Green with a message that sounded deeply personal: “I don’t know what’s gonna happen next, but I love you guys to death. Thank you. I appreciate you.” It didn’t feel like routine postgame emotion. It felt like reflection, maybe even closure.

For years, this trio helped build one of the most iconic dynasties in NBA history, winning four championships and redefining how the game is played. But time has slowly caught up. Attempts to refresh the roster under general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr., including bets on younger players like Jonathan Kuminga, haven’t delivered the expected leap. This season, everything unraveled further with a key injury to Jimmy Butler, leaving the team without enough firepower to sustain a real run.

End of an era for the Warriors?

There’s no easy way to frame it, but the signs are there. Steph Curry, now 38, remains elite, yet the margin for error is thinner than ever. Even if he returns next season, the window is no longer wide open for a championship as the Western Conference is loaded.

Draymond Green’s situation adds another layer of uncertainty. Entering the final year of his contract, his name has already surfaced in trade conversations. A move involving him would not just be a roster adjustment. It would be a symbolic shift away from everything this team once represented.

Maybe Kerr’s words were just emotion in the moment. Or maybe they were something more. A recognition that what this group built together is no longer guaranteed to continue. Either way, it felt different. And sometimes, those small moments say everything.

This isn’t just another postseason game—it’s a winner-takes-all battle for the Western Conference’s No. 8 seed, with the victor advancing to the playoffs and the loser seeing their season come to an abrupt end.

With a first-round series against the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder awaiting the winner, the implications are massive. There are no second chances left, no safety nets, just one game that will determine everything.

What happens if Warriors beat Suns today?

With a win over the Phoenix Suns, Golden State would officially secure the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference and claim the final playoff spot through the NBA Play-In Tournament. This game is the final stage of the Play-In.

By advancing, the Golden State Warriors would earn a first-round matchup against the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder, turning their late-season push into a full playoff run. It would also complete a difficult path for them.

What happens if Warriors and Suns tie today?

An NBA game cannot end in a tie—if the score is level, it goes to overtime until there is a winner. Unlike some other sports, there are no draws in the NBA, especially in high-stakes games like this one.

If the Warriors and Suns are tied at the end of regulation, they will continue playing additional overtime periods until one team wins. That’s especially important in the Play-In format, where this is a single-elimination game.

There must be a definitive outcome because one team advances to the playoffs and the other is eliminated. So, the reality is simple: the game will keep going until either Golden State or Phoenix secures the victory.

What happens if Warriors lose to Suns today?

A loss in this matchup ends Golden State’s season immediately. Unlike earlier Play-In rounds where some teams get a second chance, this is the final qualification game for the No. 8 seed, meaning the loser has no path forward.

For the Suns, a win would keep their season alive and send them into the playoffs, while the Warriors would head into the offseason after falling short of postseason qualification. In short, there’s no margin for error.

With the Play-In format leaving no safety net, this game goes beyond a simple result. Both sides know that what happens on the court will shape their immediate future, turning every possession into a potential turning point.

Steve Kerr‘s team arrives as the No. 10 seed after a 37–45 season, battling injuries but still led by Stephen Curry’s scoring threat. Meanwhile, the Clippers finished 42–40 and hold the No. 9 spot, with Kawhi Leonard anchoring both ends of the floor.

What happens if Warriors beat Clippers today?

If the Golden State Warriors defeat the Clippers, they would advance to face the Phoenix Suns in the final stage of the NBA Play-In Tournament, with the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference on the line.

A win in this 9 vs. 10 matchup keeps Golden State’s season alive and sends them into one more elimination game with the No. 8 seed on the line. That means they would still need a second victory to officially qualify for the playoffs.

This is the toughest route in the NBA Play-In Tournament, as the Warriors would have to win twice in a row under pressure. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Clippers would be eliminated immediately with no second chance.

What happens if Warriors and Clippers tie today?

Warriors vs. Clippers cannot end in a tie—an overtime period will decide a winner. In the NBA, especially in postseason formats like the Play-In, games must produce a winner, with overtime played until one team comes out on top.

That means even if the game is tied at the end of regulation, the outcome will still fall into either a win-or-lose scenario, making every late-game possession critical inside the high-pressure setting of the Intuit Dome.

What happens if Warriors lose to Clippers today?

The Golden State Warriors would be eliminated from the 2026 NBA Play-In Tournament. A loss in this matchup ends their season immediately, as only the winner advances from the 9 vs. 10 game.

For the Clippers, a victory would keep their playoff hopes alive and send them into the final Play-In game, where they would have one more chance to secure the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference.

This sudden-death format is what makes the Play-In so volatile: one bad night can erase an entire season, while one win can keep the door to the playoffs wide open.

He did not play on April 9 against the Los Angeles Lakers, with the Warriors opting to sit him on the front end of a back-to-back as part of a controlled recovery plan. The decision was tied to his return from a prolonged absence.

Head coach Steve Kerr and the team’s medical staff have prioritized keeping his healthy for the Play-In Tournament, rather than pushing him in low-stakes regular-season games. His workload is being carefully managed.

Is Stephen Curry injured or being rested?

Stephen Curry is not fully injured but is being managed due to a right knee issue, with the team resting him. According to the injury report, he was listed out for the April 9 game vs. the Lakers due to “right knee injury management”.

The issue is related to what has been described as runner’s knee, the same condition that previously sidelined him for an extended stretch earlier this season. After missing 27 consecutive games, he returned earlier in April but has been on a restricted workload and minutes limit since then.

Golden State’s approach has been cautious rather than reactive. Instead of pushing him through back-to-backs or low-priority games, they have opted to rest him intermittently to avoid aggravating the injury.

When will Stephen Curry return to play?

Stephen Curry’s return date is now expected for tonight’s game, with the Golden State Warriors evaluating his status on a game-by-game basis. Although he had missed time, he is now in line to make his return today.

Head coach Steve Kerr and the medical staff have emphasized a day-to-day evaluation, meaning his status depends on how his knee responds to recovery and treatment between games. There is no indication of a long-term setback.

The timing is key: with the Play-In Tournament approaching, Golden State is prioritizing having him at full strength rather than risking further irritation. That’s why his availability remains game-time dependent.

As expected, after the game James was asked whether this could have been the last opportunity to face Curry considering retirement could be very close. It seems very unlikely that the Lakers and Warriors will meet in the playoffs and they couldn’t face each other during the regular season.

“We actually talked about it a little bit. We both didn’t even realize it until today. I was like: ‘We haven’t played against each other this year.’ I didn’t even realize that until actually seeing it and they broke down the games. We never know. We don’t know what the future holds. We don’t know if we’ll get the opportunity to play against each other.”

Will LeBron James retire after this season?

It is still unknown whether LeBron James will retire at the end of this season. Therefore, despite not being able to face Curry, the Lakers star admitted that he cherishes the moments with Steph. “It’s always a pleasure. It’s always an honor just to be in his presence and to be on the floor with him when we have in the past.”

Have the Lakers clinch a spot in the NBA playoffs?

Yes. The Lakers have clinched a spot in the NBA playoffs, and the only thing left to determine is their position in the Western Conference. Everything points to the No. 4 or No. 5 seed, making a matchup with Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets very likely.

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the NBA is investigating the sequence orchestrated by Kings head coach Doug Christie. With just three minutes remaining, a Kings player committed an intentional foul on the younger Curry brother, a move that effectively handed the Warriors the momentum and, eventually, the victory.

At the time of the foul, the Kings actually held a 101-100 lead, yet the Warriors went on to secure a five-point win. The nonsensical nature of the strategy immediately raised red flags across the league, as the move seemed designed to ensure a Sacramento loss rather than a victory.

Why would the Kings want to tank?

One of the most persistent criticisms of the modern NBA is the tendency for bottom-tier teams to “tank,” strategically losing games late in the season once they are eliminated from playoff contention. While it remains a taboo subject for front offices, the incentive structure of the league often makes losing more valuable than a meaningless April win.

With a dismal 21-59 record, the Kings are currently deadlocked with the Utah Jazz for the worst record in the Western Conference. Every additional loss marginally improves their lottery odds, moving them closer to securing a top pick in a 2026 NBA Draft class loaded with franchise-altering prospects.

Had the Kings held on to beat the Warriors, they would have risked slipping in the reverse standings and losing their grip on a projected top-three pick. In the eyes of many league observers, a mistake this glaring at such a critical juncture is rarely an accident; it is often a calculated business decision.

Reactions to the potential tanking scenario

Warriors veteran Draymond Green didn’t hold back when asked about the bizarre sequence following the final buzzer. “I saw [the Kings] foul Seth Curry with three minutes to go for no reason! In the penalty! I get fined when I do wrong. Just fine the hell out of people. We love taking money from players,” Green said.

For his part, Doug Christie vehemently denied any intentional effort to throw the game. “Tanking is the last thing [I’d do]. I respect the game too much,” the Kings coach told reporters. “These young men, in my opinion, when you do things like that, it hurts them. It’s not in our DNA.”