Uncertainty has been a constant companion for the Golden State Warriors this season, and it just got a little heavier. With Jimmy Butler now sidelined for the year due to a season-ending injury, the franchise is staring down a future that feels more fluid than ever-and that includes the status of longtime head coach Steve Kerr.
Kerr, who’s in the final year of his contract, has yet to commit to what comes next. But behind the scenes, there are signs that change could be on the horizon.
According to team sources, several assistant coaches are already preparing for the possibility that Kerr won’t return next season. They’ve reportedly started exploring opportunities around the league, a move that suggests they’re not counting on continuity in Golden State.
This isn’t the first time the Warriors’ bench has seen movement. Two seasons ago, Kenny Atkinson left to take over as head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
More recently, assistant Chris DeMarco stepped away midseason to become the head coach of the WNBA’s New York Liberty. Those departures, while not necessarily tied to Kerr’s status, do speak to a broader sense of transition within the organization.
From the outside, Kerr and the Warriors’ front office have remained aligned. After last season, Kerr described his situation as “year-to-year,” while general manager Mike Dunleavy made it clear that the job was Kerr’s for as long as he wanted it.
That message didn’t change heading into this season. In fact, Dunleavy doubled down, saying he wanted to give Kerr the space to navigate the year and evaluate where he stood-physically, mentally, and professionally.
So far, Kerr hasn’t wavered publicly. But the context has shifted. The team’s up-and-down play, the loss of a key player like Butler, and the grind of another long season may be reshaping how Kerr views the road ahead.
There’s also the matter of legacy. Both Kerr and Stephen Curry have expressed a desire to finish their Warriors journeys together, but they’ve also acknowledged that their contract timelines don’t match up. That dream scenario-riding off into the sunset in sync-feels a little more uncertain now.
As the second half of the season kicks into gear, the “year-to-year” approach may be evolving into something even more fluid-perhaps “week-to-week.” And while nothing is set in stone, the signs are there: the Warriors could be heading toward a new chapter, one that may not include the coach who helped build their dynasty.