Steve Kerr's first foray into helming an Olympic basketball side was a successful one, with the Warriors boss leading the U.S. men's national team to glory at the 2024 Games.
It wasn't an easy journey for the Americans. Nikola Jokic's Serbia and Victor Wembanyama's France proved formidable foes, highlighting the deep talent pool that exists across the globe.
In the end, though, Kerr's side was too strong. Stephen Curry, LeBron James and Kevin Durant formed a frightening triple threat, doing just enough to power Team USA to Olympic glory.
Curry, James and Durant all look poised to leave the USA pool by the time the next Summer Olympics hits. Kerr could very well be following his standout trio, with rumors that the 58-year old will walk away from the Stars and Stripes.
If so, one would have to imagine there would be a queue of tacticians lining up to replace him, especially with the next edition of the Summer Games slated to take place in the sunny confines of Los Angeles.
What does USA Basketball's Olympic future look like? Here's what we know so far.
MORE: How Steph Curry's Olympic heroics powered Team USA
Will Steve Kerr be in the next Olympics?
All signs appear to be pointing to Kerr not coaching the Americans come 2028. Forbes' Evan Sidery reported that Kerr is likely to call it quits on his international career, which would mean a new boss for the men's basketball team at the LA Games.
Steve Kerr is likely to retire as Team USA head coach, which means a new lead voice for 2028 in Los Angeles.
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) August 11, 2024
Erik Spoelstra is viewed as the strong internal favorite to become Team USA’s next in line following Gregg Popovich and Kerr. pic.twitter.com/njYm4I8Cfx
That report later was confirmed again by Mark Stein, who said that Kerr is "not expected to continue" as Team USA's coach.
Kerr made a number of compelling choices during the 2024 tournament, even benching Celtics supernova Jayson Tatum and 76ers standout Joel Embiid at different points throughout the competition. His decisions garnered plenty of criticism, particularly from those of a New England disposition.
Everything worked out in the end for the four-time NBA champion, however, with his squad wading through the mire of competitive sides to take home its fifth straight Olympic title.
MORE: Winners and losers from 2024 Olympic men's basketball tournament
If Kerr were to retire from coaching the team, it seems quite possible that his replacement would come from within USA Basketball's network. Between Erik Spoelstra and Tyronn Lue, the Americans are teeming with international experience. Given both coach's standing — Spoelstra and Lue are two of the finest tacticians in the game — they figure to make strong candidates for the post.
USA Basketball general manager Grant Hill has been open about his desire to cultivate a pipeline for the program, both for players and coaches alike. Spoelstra and Lue, both members of Kerr's staff during the 2023 World Cup and now, 2024 Olympics, would fit that ideology to a tee.
Hill & Co. have some time to make a decision on the future in the program's head coaching seat — they're still in celebration mode, after all.
But his best bet at setting the side up for future success could lie in-house, just the way he wants it to be.
