What's next for Warriors? Steve Kerr's future most pressing question

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Apr 18, 2026 - 11:30
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What's next for Warriors? Steve Kerr's future most pressing question

The Golden State Warriors ended their season with a 111-96 loss to the Phoenix Suns on April 18 in the NBA Play-In Tournament.

After finishing the regular season with a 37-45 overall record and getting bounced in the postseason's qualifying round, the Warriors enter the offseason with a number of questions that need to be answered.

With franchise cornerstone Stephen Curry in the twilight of his career, the Warriors should look to improve their team to maintain a competitive nature in the latter part of his NBA tenure.

Here's what they need to consider this summer now that their offseason has commenced:

Questions about contracts

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr had an embrace with Curry and Draymond Green as the elimination play-in game against the Suns started to wind down. It was an emotional moment because it could be the final embrace those three have as coach and players as Kerr's contract expires this summer.

According to audio captured by Prime Video, Kerr told Green and Curry, "I don't know what's going to happen next, but I love you guys to death. Thank you. I appreciate you."

Kerr was named Warriors head coach in 2014 and has coached the franchise to four championships. As questions loom about his future, Kerr is forever stamped in the Bay Area as the coach of a dynasty. But he told reporters that he doesn't know what his future holds, and understands that when dynasties come to an end changes are made, especially regarding who is at the helm.

"I don't know what's going to happen. I still love coaching. But I get it. These jobs all have an expiration date," Kerr said.

The team also has to decide whether to exercise a team option on Brandin Podziemski, while Al Horford and De'Anthony Melton have more leverage with player options.

Kristaps Porzingis, who was acquired from the Atlanta Hawks in a trade, will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. He has made indications that he wants to be back in the Bay, and reports have said the Warriors are interested, as well.

Other expiring contracts include Gary Payton II, Quinten Post, Seth Curry and Pat Spencer.

An area to watch for are players signed through 2027. Current contracts on the Warriors expected to expire after next season include Curry, Green (he holds a player option) and Butler.

Which free agents do the Warriors sign, seek out?

With the understanding that next season could be the final hurrah as Curry and Green have expiring contracts, the Warriors' brass of Joe Lacob and Mike Dunleavy Jr. will have to put something together to make themselves a contender again, especially in the twilight of Curry's career.

Golden State pursued Giannis Antetokounmpo during the regular season near the trade deadline, so maybe the Warriors renew conversations with Milwaukee.

Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard has had his name swirl around the rumor mill following their loss to Golden State, being eliminated from the NBA Play-In Tournament. With the Aspiration still looming in the background, maybe Golden State pounces on the opportunity to swindle the Clips.

Per ESPN's Anthony Slater, the Warriors currently have the 11th spot in the lottery with a 9.4% chance of getting a top-four pick.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Warriors eliminated from NBA playoffs contention: What's next?

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