The Golden State Warriors are approaching a pivotal decision on Steve Kerr’s future. The hotheaded Dubs coach has been on the edge more often than not this season. Part of it is because his regular starters can’t stay away from the casualty ward. It has left the veteran coach to experiment with his ever-so-favorite Brandin Podziemski and others. Naturally, most of the Bay Area doesn’t think on the same lines as him anymore. The way he handled Jonathan Kuminga’s exit also did not help make his case among fans for a new contract. With Kerr’s two-year, $35 million extension signed in February 2024 nearing its end, the front office is already laying out a long-term plan. And according to an NBA insider, the Warriors are prioritizing nothing but stability.

The front office is pushing for a multi-year extension and wants to avoid a one-year stopgap move. “One whisper you do hear emanating from the Bay Area,” Jake Fischer of The Stein Line wrote, “Is that the Warriors would prefer to extend Kerr for longer than one season if they ultimately agree to terms on a new deal. It’s believed that Warriors officials would rather avoid a Last Dance scenario if they can, while also crossing their fingers that Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody can bounce back as swiftly as possible in 2026-27 from their recent season-ending injuries.”

Butler, acquired in a blockbuster 2025 move to elevate the roster around Stephen Curry, was expected to be a centerpiece before his injury, while Moody’s development had been one of the team’s few bright spots. The “Last Dance” reference dates back to the Chicago Bulls’ 1997-98 season, when Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Phil Jackson embarked on a widely known final run together. Every game carried end-of-era pressure, something Golden State is clearly trying to avoid by committing to continuity instead of uncertainty.

The Warriors’ stance reflects Kerr’s track record of four championships (2015, 2017, 2018, 2022) and a historic 73-win season. Internally, the goal is to present this as a sustainable system rather than a closing chapter. That brings the focus back to Kerr’s $35 million extension and what comes next. That deal pays roughly $17.5 million annually, placing Kerr among the NBA’s highest-paid coaches. At the time, it ranked just behind Gregg Popovich on a per-year basis.

Since their 2022 championship, Golden State hasn’t made a deep postseason run, and another early exit would only intensify questions about the direction of the roster and Kerr’s long-term fit. However, for now, the Dubs appear committed to keeping him in charge for the foreseeable future. Yet this season’s results could shift the team’s mindset. How they handle the play-in and postseason will define whether their project feels alive or edges toward an ending.

The 2026 postseason could define Steve Kerr’s future; how are things currently looking

For a while now, Steve Kerr has chosen to remain silent about his contract. However, insiders like Anthony Slater have previously predicted that the 60-year-old’s tenure will not end at the end of the 2025-26 season. There may also be significant weight on the Golden State Warriors’ postseason performance. A strong playoff run would reinforce Kerr’s case for an extension and show he can still lead deep into the Stephen Curry era. Historically, his résumé is elite—104-48 (.684) in the playoffs. But recent seasons haven’t matched that dominance, making this postseason especially important.

As of writing, the Blazers are ahead of the Dubs by 2.5 games, sitting ninth, and if things stayed this way, the Warriors would head on the road to face them in an elimination game for a chance at the No. 8 seed. Portland won its regular-season series 1-3 against Kerr’s team, although the Warriors won their last meeting 119-97 on January 13. Whoever wins would face the loser of the No. 7 vs. 8 seed game between the Suns and Clippers for the No. 7 spot.

An early exit or missing the postseason entirely would raise serious questions about both the roster and the coaching direction. Reaching the conference finals or beyond would likely secure Kerr’s future, while anything short of that puts his situation under review. For now, the Warriors want continuity. But if results don’t follow, even a four-time champion coach won’t be immune to change.

Well, the Warriors seem to be moving towards a decision. Despite that, the postseason will carry more weight for Steve Kerr’s future. But for now, the team is backing him. And the “Last Dance” is not an option.