Steve Kerr will remain the highest-paid head coach in the NBA, according to a league source. The Golden State Warriors and their longtime coach have reached an agreement in principle on a two-year contract that will keep him with the team through the 2027-28 season.
Kerr, who previously earned $17.5 million annually, will continue to top the league’s coaching salary hierarchy. Miami’s Erik Spoelstra, whose deal eventually pays him $15 million per year, holds the second-largest contract in the NBA.
The deal, finalized on Saturday, extends the most successful coaching tenure in franchise history. The 2026-27 season will mark Kerr’s 13th year on the Warriors’ bench. His decision to return follows weeks of speculation after Golden State’s season-ending loss to the Phoenix Suns on April 17 in the final Play-In Tournament game.
Kerr, 60, opted not to sign a contract extension before the season, preferring to let the year unfold without a new deal. For months, the expectation was that he would return, but the outlook shifted quickly after the loss to the Suns. In the final moments of that game, Kerr was seen hugging stars Stephen Curry and Draymond Green while delivering an emotional message captured on the broadcast.
“I don’t know what’s gonna happen next, but I love you guys to death,” Kerr said. “Thank you.”
He further fueled speculation when he told reporters he planned to meet with owner Joe Lacob and general manager Mike Dunleavy to discuss the uncertain road ahead.
“I still love coaching, but I get it. These jobs all have an expiration date. There’s a run that happens, and when the run ends, sometimes, it’s time for new blood and new ideas and all that,” Kerr said.
Momentum for his return grew over the past week as Kerr continued talks with Lacob and Dunleavy. Many Warriors staffers had prepared for the possibility that Kerr would step away, but those concerns eased as negotiations progressed. Kerr, unfazed by the speculation, even attended a San Francisco Giants game on Wednesday while the organization operated as if a new deal would eventually be reached.
Kerr’s tenure has been closely tied to his relationship with Stephen Curry, whom he has called the most “joyful” player he has ever coached. Kerr openly acknowledged that their bond would influence his decision.
Despite the Warriors’ struggles with injuries and losses last season, Kerr remained clear about his passion for the job.
“I enjoyed it, believe it or not,” Kerr said after the loss to the Suns. “I love coaching, and I love being with all the staff and the players, and I love being in the fight. I love having a quest and the daily ritual of trying to figure something out. It’s really beautiful. It’s really fun to be part of that. So, despite the injuries, despite the adversity, despite the struggles, I still enjoyed it. I enjoyed every day, but things didn’t go our way, obviously, and that’s part of it, too.”