Will the Warriors change their coach next season? Curry hopes Kerr stays, while multiple assistant coaches assume he won't return.

On March 30, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr is in the final year of his contract and has not yet renewed it. The Warriors may need to replace their head coach next season, but Curry hopes Kerr can return and continue coaching.

In the latest podcast episode, Warriors reporter Kawakami pointed out that the 60-year-old Kerr might choose to leave if the Warriors are likely to finish with a negative record. Another reporter, Friedell, added that Curry "hopes Kerr stays."

"I've been asked repeatedly—do you think Kerr will come back? I absolutely believe he will, because of this team, especially considering the situations we discussed in tonight's episode," Friedell said. "The Warriors want to push hard for a championship, and no one is better than Kerr to help them reach the next level. Moreover, Curry wants him to stay, and they have been partners for many years."

In 2024, Curry stated that if he had the choice, he would never play for another coach while with the Warriors. Kerr himself said on a program last year that he "would never leave Stephen Curry."

However, when it truly comes time to make a decision, Kerr might feel that his tenure in the Bay Area has reached its end.

Since winning the NBA championship in 2022, the Warriors' best playoff result has only been the second round. In the 2023-24 season, they even missed the playoffs entirely. General manager Mike Dunleavy Jr.'s attempts to reopen the championship window have all failed, and Butler's ACL tear has further complicated the team's short-term prospects.

In January, The Ringer reporter Murdock reported that "multiple assistant coaches have already assumed Kerr will not return next season."

Kerr has hardly had any real relaxation during his coaching tenure. He led the team to an NBA championship in his first year, and for the following 11 years, chasing championships has essentially been the team's sole goal. The only exception was the 2019-20 season, when Curry played only 5 games.

Long-term accumulated pressure eventually wears people down physically and mentally. Whether he wants to step away from coaching entirely or just needs a break to recharge, even if management tries to persuade him to lead the team toward the 2026-27 season, it wouldn't be surprising if Kerr leaves the Warriors' coaching position this summer.