While this NBA season is a struggle relative to the Warriors' recent success, Golden State remains committed to head coach Steve Kerr.
The Warriors sit in 10th place in the Western Conference. That's a world away from the heights they reached two years ago, when they won their fourth title under Kerr's leadership.
But Golden State's front office brass still offered Kerr the ultimate endorsement Friday, inking the longterm coach to a record contract extension.
The deal will see Kerr, 58, net more money per season than any head coach in NBA history. It also ensures Stephen Curry — the man who may have benefitted more from Kerr's tactical nous than any other person on the Dubs — retains a familiar face on the sideline as his career nears it close.
Here's what you need to know about Kerr's extension.
Steve Kerr contract details
Kerr's contract was slated to expire after the 2023-24 season. With one whisk of the pen, he was locked down for the next two seasons, through the 2025-26 campaign.
Here's a look at the terms of Kerr's extension:
- Contract length: Two years
- Contract value: $35 million
With an average annual value (AAV) of $17.5 million, Kerr becomes the highest-paid head coach in NBA history. Per ESPN, Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich makes more annually. But he also holds the title of president — a moniker that adds millions to this salary.
With Kerr's new deal with Golden State, he surpasses Erik Spoelstra ($15 million per year) to become the league's richest head coach.
Why Warriors are making Kerr highest-paid NBA coach
Kerr's contract extension may be gaudy. But after four titles, it's hard to argue he doesn't deserve it.
Owner Joe Lacob and general manager Mike Dunleavy locked down Kerr for the immediate future. Just one year earlier, the Dubs lost out on longtime GM Bob Myers, who left the franchise after his contract expired following the conclusion of the 2022-23 season.
With the extension, Kerr aligns perfectly with Curry, who has two years remaining on the four-year, $215 million supermax deal he inked back in 2021.
Kerr's stock remains as high as ever in NBA circles. Given his penchant for winning — his .655 winning percentage is the fifth-highest in NBA history — the market for Kerr would have been sky-high at the end of the season. Just Popovich and Spoelstra can compare to him among active coaches in terms of accolades. Now he sees that reflected in his salary.
Steve Kerr career earnings
Kerr has netted $45 million as a coach across nine seasons, including the 2023-24 season, per Spotrac. With his new contract, that total will jump to $80 million by the end of the 2025-26 season.
That's in addition to the $15.9 million he earned as an NBA player from 1988 through 2003.
Steve Kerr net worth
Kerr is worth $45 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. Most of that stems from his basketball career both as a pro player and as Hall of Fame-caliber coach.
