Steve Kerr was reportedly '95 percent' ready to retire before NBA play-in tournament

Steve Kerr will remain the head coach of the Golden State Warriors after signing a two-year extension with the team . That development would apparently be a surprise to Kerr a few weeks ago. The Warriors coach told ESPN’s Wright Thompson he was “95 percent” certain about retiring ahead of his team’s play-in tournament game against the Los Angeles Clippers on April 15, reportedly saying “I think it’s over” the day before the game.

Thompson breaks down Kerr’s journey to that point in great detail, but a day later, Kerr had apparently changed his mind after the Warriors’ season-saving 126-121 win over the Clippers: An assistant with a stat sheet said they'd led for only four minutes and six seconds. Everyone laughed and tried to stay in the moment. Steve looked over at me and spoke quietly, almost a whisper.

"I'm not leaving," he said. The Warriors would go on to lose to the Phoenix Suns in the West’s final play-in game, ending their season outside the playoffs for the second time in three years. Kerr received widespread notice after cameras caught him telling Stephen Curry and Draymon Green 'I don't know what's going to happen next” as the game ended.

Play 2026 Soccer Pick 'Em with FOX One and make your picks for the world's biggest soccer tournament While Kerr had apparently decided he wanted to stay by that point, his contract with the Warriors was expiring. He acknowledged the possibility the Warriors move on from him after the game, in an offseason where major change is clearly needed. Instead, the Warriors kept him and gave him a contract that will reportedly see him remain the highest-paid coach in the NBA.