After Bob Myers, the Golden State Warriors’ former president and general manager, resigned on May 30, the team is expected to undergo some major changes.
Given that Steve Kerr is entering the final year of his contract with the franchise, one of those adjustments may well be the absence of the current head coach. If extension talks happen, they’ll probably start this summer, but without Myers there, some are unsure about how well they’ll go.
The financial picture perhaps changed a little when Monty Williams, a former Phoenix Suns coach, agreed to a six-year, $78.5 million contract to lead the Detroit Pistons on May 31.
This made Williams the highest-paid coach in the NBA. Williams’ agreement, said to ESPN insider Adrian Wojnarowski, will affect Kerr in particular.
As Wojnarowski stated on NBA Countdown prior to Game 2 of the NBA Finals, “it’s going to significantly impact the head coaching landscape for high-level coaches, including Miami’s Erik Spoelstra (and) Golden State’s Steve Kerr,” as transcribed by Jack Murray of Bleacher Report. “Both of those coaches have one season left on their contracts, which begins next year. Both, I’ve been told, are currently in the $8 million area annually.
According to reports, Kerr is currently earning less than $10 million annually.
Although Kerr’s current contract’s specifics aren’t known to the general public, it expires after the 2023–24 season. In 2018, the current Warriors coach acknowledged that he had signed an extension but withheld further details.
Woj estimated Kerr’s 2021 earnings to be closer to $8 million while Sportico estimated $9.5 million.
If and when Kerr and the Dubs discuss a contract extension, Woj believes Kerr may be able to make money on the open market and may therefore press the Warriors’ management for more money.
In relation to Spoelstra and Kerr, Woj said, “Both coaches—when you talk to owners, executives around the league—might be able to earn what the new NFL coach in Denver [Sean Payton] received, in the ballpark of $20 million a year.
Keep an Eye on Negotiations Between Kerr & Warriors This Summer
Warriors owner Joe Lacob may be considering promoting his son Kirk or, more likely, the current vice president of basketball operations Mike Dunleavy Jr. to replace Myers, according to Wojnarowski’s May 30 report.
Given that Myers hired Kerr and the two are still friendly, it’s reasonable to ask how well the team’s incoming general manager will be able to handle Kerr’s upcoming agreement.
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Before the former GM’s departure, Kerr said of Myers, “Bob and I have a great friendship, a great working relationship, and I absolutely hope he comes back,” according to NBC Sports. However, I also want what’s best for Bob, so if he decides to go, I will of course back him wholeheartedly and we will stay friends for a very long time. Although I will miss him, he has my support no matter what.
In light of the new management and Williams’ over $13 million yearly salary in Detroit, Woj advises keeping an eye on Kerr’s contract status going forward.
Erik Spoelstra leaving the Miami organization where he began his career 28 years ago as a video intern and spent 15 years as head coach with two titles is difficult to conceive, but Steve Kerr will present a different challenge.
Watch Steve Kerr’s negotiations for an extension this summer, Wojnarowski advised, noting that this is an aging roster and that his perspective may be slightly different.
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