Tim Kawakami of The San Francisco Standard reported on Thursday that the Golden State Warriors were "reasonably close" to trading for Kawhi Leonard before the deadline (subscription required) and that the expectation is they'll remain active on the market for a big-name player. Steve Kerr hasn't decided on his future, but it's hard to see him walking away this summer.
He's in the final year of his current contract, but it hasn't felt like this is his last year at the helm for Golden State, especially not with the way that it's played out. Knowing the kind of competitor that Kerr is, he wouldn't go out like this, would he?
It would feel even less like this is the end if the Warriors landed Kawhi, Giannis Antetokounmpo, or LeBron James. There is only one coach to lead that group, and it's Kerr. As Kawakami wrote:
"But I think the Warriors and Curry could make things exciting next season. Curry's warmup on Wednesday was just the starting bell for this. And I don't think Kerr could bear to miss it."
Steve Kerr couldn't miss out on Warriors making championship push
Last season could be the final time that Golden State has somewhat of a real shot at winning another title with Curry. The West is only getting stronger and younger. Victor Wembanyama is only going to get better, as hard as that might be to believe while watching him now.
The Warriors would take a risk by trading for a player like Giannis, giving up draft assets for the 31-year-old, but they have to be willing to swing for the fences. It shouldn't take as much to get Kawhi, but he still has injury concerns and will turn 35 in June. LeBron could be in play, too, and at 41, load management is a requirement for him.
Imagine stepping away from the opportunity to coach Curry and LeBron again, but this time, in the NBA. Or from a two-time MVP who is still young (by the Warriors' standards), and a top player in the league. Kawhi isn't getting any younger, but as we've seen this season, he can still turn back the clock.
No, Kerr wouldn't do that.
Nothing is official yet, and probably won't be until after Golden State's season ends (at the soonest), but it's hard to envision a result that ends any other way than Kerr staying for at least one more year. And that will be the case even if they don't get a Giannis, Kawhi, or LeBron, although that would certainly increase the likelihood.