Draymond Inexperienced doesn’t assume Coach Kerr will return

Steve Kerr says he hasn’t but decided on his teaching future. Mike Dunleavy, Jr. doesn’t need to handle the media till Kerr’s standing is resolved. However for those who ask Draymond Inexperienced, or simply take heed to his podcast, he thinks that after 12 seasons, Kerr’s Warriors tenure is over.

It’s uncommon for any coach or participant to stick with the identical workforce for 12 years, and much rarer for 2 gamers and a coach to spend that a lot time collectively. Greater than any of the opposite 11 seasons, this 12 months confirmed critical flaws with the match Warriors roster, the reliance on older gamers and a few limitations in Kerr’s most popular model of play. Kerr has by no means taken extra warmth, whether or not it’s for his growth of younger gamers to his rotations to the workforce’s struggles in shut video games.

Draymond Inexperienced made it clear that he desires Kerr to return for a thirteenth season, however he merely doesn’t assume it is going to occur.

After the emotional second Kerr shared with Inexperienced and Steph Curry on the finish of Friday’s play-in loss, Inexperienced received the impression that it was the conclusion of an period. Inexperienced mentioned that he hoped Kerr would coach the workforce subsequent season, however added, “In order for you my opinion? I believe not.”

On the identical time, Inexperienced acknowledged that his personal future was up within the air, including that he hoped he was on the workforce subsequent season as effectively. There’s a particular risk that Kerr isn’t the one one that will resolve if he’ll coach subsequent season, particularly with Mike Dunleavy, Jr. signing a contract extension, one we will assume was saved beneath wraps so Warriors followers wouldn’t relentlessly boo him just like the final time he received a contract extension with the workforce.

Professional tip for MDJ: They’ll love you for those who rip your shirt off once more.

There’s merely numerous uncertainty. Jimmy Butler might play sparingly or under no circumstances subsequent season. Moses Moody is getting back from a critical patella harm. The Warriors paid nearly $70M in luxurious tax with one of many NBA’s highest payrolls, and received 37 video games. Any cost-cutting measures may begin with the workforce’s well-compensated coach.

That’s the logical case for Kerr’s departure. The extra compelling case is the vibes. From Kerr’s on-court huddle with Inexperienced and Steph Curry Friday night time, to workforce officers clearly leaking to ESPN that they have been sad with Kerr and solely need him on a long-term deal to Kerr himself saying, “This job has an expiration date,” the prevailing temper is that Kerr isn’t coming again. In different phrases, it felt like that was it.