Steve Kerr Could Leave Warriors as $17.5 Million Contract Nears End Amid Fading Title Hopes

Steve Kerr was supposed to continue coaching the Golden State Warriors at least until superstar point guard Stephen Curry continued to lead the team.

He had structured his $17.5 million annual salary contract keeping in mind that it would coincide with the length of the two-time league MVP’s previous contract.

The 2026 offseason was supposed to be that time when both Curry and his head coach would potentially walk away from the game together.

However, that plan was already moot when the franchise awarded their leading superstar with a massive extension after he stunned the world at the Paris Olympics. The now-37-year-old proved he still had it in him to lead the team to championships.

It will be surreal to think that anyone other than Steve Kerr would coach Stephen Curry into the final days of the latter’s career, but it seems the situation has changed.

This is the final year of his contract, and as of Wednesday, he has yet to sign a new deal. Though Kerr has publicly been mum about his future, multiple assistant coaches have been operating under the premise that he will not return next season, according to team sources, with some surveying the league to secure jobs next season.

The Ringer’s Logan Murdock noted

This could be Steve Kerr’s last year with the Warriors 😳, per @loganmmurdock

“This is the final year of his contract, and as of Wednesday, he has yet to sign a new deal. Though Kerr has publicly been mum about his future, multiple assistant coaches have been operating under… pic.twitter.com/QB1na5e1Sq

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 21, 2026

Even if the naysayers might think otherwise, there is no escaping the fact that the Warriors’ head coach is yet to sign a new deal or an extension. This means there is a chance that the team’s latest situation could push Steve Kerr to leave.

Warriors’ title hopes fade after Jimmy Butler’s ACL tear

The Golden State Warriors had just started to regain some semblance of a winning form after struggling for much of November and December.

Winning seven out of their ten games in January, it seemed as if the team had figured out what was troubling them and put aside their differences for the team’s goal.

In the last of those wins against the Miami Heat, Jimmy Butler went down clutching his knee. Later, it was confirmed that he tore his ACL, which means next season will be the earliest he can resume playing basketball.

That threw a wrench in the Warriors’ championship hopes, as Butler is their second most important player after Stephen Curry. His smarts, scoring, defense, and experience are important.

No wonder the Paris Olympics gold medalist had a sad look on his face watching his teammate being helped off the court. Curry knew their season was done.

For Steve Kerr to believe his team has a chance, either GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. has to muster up some magic before the trade deadline or Jonathan Kuminga has to step up.

Steve Kerr expresses disappointment over season

With their season plans seemingly derailed, the panel of 95.7 The Game asked Steve Kerr what he felt was going to be the timeline for Jimmy Butler’s return and how it would impact their championship goals.

I think he will return at a high level, but he’ll be 37. The main thing for me is guys like that, that and Steph and Dray, they only get so many opportunities. And this was a real opportunity… I felt strongly that we could play with anybody when healthy, and we were showing that, and that’s why this is just so disappointing for everybody.

Steve Kerr said

It seems the head coach has already thrown in the towel. It seems he knows that his aging squad might have lost its best chance to win a championship.

“Guys like that (Jimmy) and Steph and Dray, they only get so many opportunities. And this was a real opportunity… I felt strongly that we could play with anybody when healthy.”

— Steve Kerr 🥺💔 pic.twitter.com/MnPjvgcW6J

— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) January 22, 2026

Next season, when Butler returns, they will have aged even more, and with that comes further complications as their on-court performances could be affected.

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