Steve Kerr admits he intended to leave Warriors before changing mind

Steve Kerr returned to coach the Warriors this season, but only after privately deciding he wouldn’t.

“I had decided I was leaving with a week or two left in the regular season,” Kerr said during an appearance on the Tom Tolbert Show, via Hoops Rumors.

Kerr, 60, cited the demanding NBA travel schedule as one factor behind his thinking. At the time, he believed 12 seasons and four championships in Golden State might have been enough.

Then the season ended, emotions settled and the Warriors asked him to reconsider.

Kerr met three times with team owner Joe Lacob, executive vice president Kirk Lacob and general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. Those conversations included an honest assessment of the roster and changes Kerr could make moving forward.

Management also encouraged Kerr to lower his expectations after an injury-filled 2025-26 season. Eventually, both sides decided there was enough reason to continue. Kerr signed a two-year contract and now describes himself as “reenergized” and “rejuvenated.”

The Warriors are admittedly in transition. Stephen Curry and Draymond Green are nearing the end of their careers, while the organization continues searching for younger players capable of becoming its next foundation.

Kerr nevertheless believes Golden State can have a strong season, regardless of how many people have counted out the Warriors.

He also said he does not envision coaching another NBA team after his time with Golden State ends, although he expects to remain involved with the league in some capacity.

So Kerr’s retirement lasted only inside his own head. It was real enough, though, that the Warriors had to convince him not to make it official.