Head coach Steve Kerr and the Golden State Warriors are currently coming off of what was a highly frustrating 2023-24 season that saw the team get sent home in the first round of the Play-In tournament vs the Sacramento Kings. While Kerr got his own pockets secured during the season via a long-term extension, the Warriors as a whole were unable to pick up much synergy throughout the campaign, which included players like Jonathan Kuminga publicly criticizing Kerr's inconsistent at best lineup decisions.
It would certainly figure this offseason that the Warriors would be looking to make some changes as their dynasty is now officially on life support, and if the latest reports are any indication, one area where the Golden State brass may be looking to add talent is on the sidelines.
“The Warriors had some conversation with former Los Angeles Lakers head coach Darvin Ham in recent weeks, per league sources,” reported Anthony Slater of The Athletic (via the New York Times). “That isn’t expected to materialize. But it is a signal of the Warriors’ desire to add a big-name assistant, and indications are they are in search of either a former head coach or former player to fill the role. If Atkinson leaves, they may add two assistant coaches. It remains a fluid time across the league in the coaching world.”
Slater also referenced the fact that Kerr will have less time than usual this offseason to focus on Warriors-related activities due to his obligations with Team USA at the upcoming Olympics in Paris.
“It’s an unsettled time for the Warriors’ coaching staff,” reported Slater. “Lead assistant Kenny Atkinson is one of the favorites to land the head coaching job in Cleveland. If Atkinson gets it, Steve Kerr — whose duties as Team USA head coach will have him occupied in July — will have to fill a large vacancy next to him on the bench.”
What should the Warriors do?
While he definitively proved himself incapable of being the head coach for a high profile organization during his time with the Lakers, Darvin Ham is still a respected basketball mind around the league who has been on the staffs of some very successful teams, including the 2021 NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks under head coach Mike Budenholzer.
Regardless of what they do about the coaching position, the Warriors have some arguably more important decisions to make regarding their roster. Several key pieces of their 2022 championship team have seen significant downticks in production over the last two years, including Andrew Wiggins, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green, whose notoriously loose temper has somehow gotten even worse with age.
There is also the fact that point guard Stephen Curry is still playing (mostly) elite basketball heading into what will be his age 37 season, meaning Golden State more or less will be forced to throw all their chips in to try to maximize however many seasons of elite production their franchise's best-ever player has left in him.
In any case, next season will get underway in October.
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