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Golden State Warriors replace assistant’s departure from within

By Peter O'Keefe

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - AUGUST 09: Head coach Kris Weems of the Golden State Warriors gestures during a game against the Orlando Magic during the 2021 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on August 9, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Magic defeated the Warriors 91-89 in overtime. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - AUGUST 09: Head coach Kris Weems of the Golden State Warriors gestures during a game against the Orlando Magic during the 2021 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on August 9, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Magic defeated the Warriors 91-89 in overtime. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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The off-court changes have continued at the Golden State Warriors, with the franchise addressing their coaching personnel after the major loss of one of Steve Kerr’s top assistants in Jama Mahlalela.

Mahlalela chose to return to the Toronto Raptors last month after two years with the Warriors including the 2022 NBA championship. It was viewed as a ‘big loss’ for Golden State with the 43-year-old seen as a future NBA head coach.

The Golden State Warriors have chosen to replace the loss of Jama Mahlalela from within, promoting long-time employee Kris Weems.

According to NBC Sports’ Monte Poole on Sunday night, the Warriors have chosen to move Kris Weems from a player development position to a front of the bench assistant alongside Kerr.

It continues the franchise’s recent trend to promote from within. Last month Golden State officially replaced departed General Manager Bob Myers with his multi-year understudy in Mike Dunleavy Jr.

Mike Dunleavy Jr. has already put his stamp on the Golden State Warriors in his early tenure as General Manager. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
Mike Dunleavy Jr. has already put his stamp on the Golden State Warriors in his early tenure as General Manager. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

Weems begun as an assistant coach in player development with the Warriors in July 2011. He has since built his experience in a variety of roles with the franchise, leading to this role as part of a new-look coaching group.

Weems was a scout for Golden State at one point ten years ago, before spending the majority of his tenure with the franchise as part of their G League program. He was an assistant in Santa Cruz for a couple of years before taking on the top job in 2019.

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After a glittering high school career and four years of collegiate experience with Stanford, Weems, a 6’2″ guard, went undrafted in 1999. His latest promotion continues a bright coaching career that he’ll look to continue building upon next season.

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