The Golden State Warriors core, one the organization had tried to keep together for several years, fell apart after the departure of Kevin Durant brought plenty of contractual carnage as the team maneuvered to keep the ship afloat. One of the casualties of such roster teardown was veteran Shaun Livingston, who played a major part in the initial championship run in 2015 as one of the biggest collaborations. Head coach Steve Kerr however could see the team parting ways with him from a mile away.

“It’s something we anticipated because of his age, his contract situation,” Steve Kerr told LetsGoWarriors during a Team USA practice at the Los Angeles Lakers' facility. “I was prepared for that one, but it’s still a huge loss from a leadership standpoint. Shaun is one of those people that you just want to be with in any circumstance. He’s smart, funny and humble. He’s just a great human being. He also happens to be a hell of a basketball player and a good teammate. I can’t tell you how much I’ve enjoyed my five years with Shaun.”

The Warriors lost veteran cogs like Shaun Livingston and Andre Iguodala, replacing them with younger faces, now reborn as one of the youngest teams in the league — which was one of their calls to fame coming up in the Western Conference.

Those younglings are now the veterans in Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green — the three oldest players in the roster.

Kerr was hopeful that whenever Livingston calls it a career, he's willing to join his coaching staff and team up once again. Livingston is a free agent, who is still considering options to eke out another year in the league.