The Golden State Warriors are heading into the second half of the season with more than just a playoff push on the line - the future of head coach Steve Kerr is very much in the balance.
Kerr’s contract is set to expire at the end of this season, and while there’s been plenty of speculation about whether he’ll return to the Bay, one major obstacle to his potential exit may have just been cleared.
The Kuminga Factor
According to reporting out of the Bay Area, the recent departure of forward Jonathan Kuminga in last week’s trade could significantly increase the chances of Kerr sticking around. The relationship between Kerr and Kuminga had reportedly deteriorated to the point where it was becoming a serious distraction - not just for the coach, but for the team at large.
While some in the organization may have seen value in keeping Kuminga, especially with Jimmy Butler sidelined for the season, the reality was clear: Kuminga wanted out, and Kerr was ready to move on. Had the Warriors held onto him, the tension likely would’ve lingered, with Kerr fielding questions about the situation on a nightly basis. That’s not the kind of environment a veteran coach wants to navigate while trying to guide a team back into playoff contention.
Porzingis In, Distractions Out
Now, with Kuminga gone and Kristaps Porzingis in the mix, the Warriors are attempting to reset. Porzingis doesn’t solve everything - this isn’t a magic fix for a team that’s been inconsistent all year - but his arrival does represent a fresh start. He brings size, scoring, and a new dynamic to a roster that’s been searching for answers since Butler went down.
The hope is that with the Kuminga saga behind them, the Warriors can turn the page and focus on basketball. If they can string together a solid run, sneak into the Play-In Tournament, and maybe even steal a first-round matchup against a top seed like Oklahoma City or Denver, it could be enough to convince Kerr that there’s still something worth building here.
A Dynasty on the Brink
Kerr has been candid in recent months, acknowledging that the Warriors’ dynasty isn’t what it once was. The core of Steph Curry, Draymond Green, and Klay Thompson is aging, and the team is clearly in transition. But that doesn’t mean the book is closed.
If Golden State can show some fight down the stretch - if Porzingis fits, if the locker room settles, if they can find a rhythm - Kerr may see a path forward. And let’s not ignore the elephant in the offseason room: the possibility of adding a certain superstar from Greece. That kind of move could shift the entire trajectory of the franchise, and it’s the type of thing that might just convince Kerr to stick around for another chapter.
What’s Next for Kerr and the Warriors
For now, the focus is on the present. The Warriors are trying to salvage a season that’s been defined by injuries, inconsistency, and internal friction. But with Kuminga no longer in the picture and a new piece in Porzingis to work with, the environment around the team feels different - calmer, more focused.
Whether that’s enough to keep Steve Kerr in the Bay beyond this season remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the biggest roadblock to his return is no longer in the building. And that alone gives the Warriors - and their longtime head coach - a reason to believe there’s still something worth fighting for.