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Adrian Wojnarowski, ESPN
Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr, the architect of the franchise's four championships, has agreed to a two-year, $35 million contract extension that will make him the highest-paid coach in NBA history, agents Rick Smith and Dan Evelov of Priority Sports told ESPN. . Friday.
Kerr's contract was set to expire at the end of the 2023-2024 season, and his extension at $17.5 million per season would take him through the 2025-2026 season. The extension brings him in line with the two years remaining on Stephen Curry's contract.
Sources say San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich makes more annually, but holds the dual title of president and coach. Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra has signed an eight-year extension that pays him about $15 million per season, according to sources.
The agreement completes months of talks between Golden State general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. and Kerr's representatives, assuring the Warriors that they will retain the coach whose .655 winning percentage is fifth in league history.
Securing Kerr to stay with Dunleavy to lead the organization was a priority for owner Joe Lacob. The Warriors never reached an extension with former president and general manager Bob Myers, who exited at the end of the 2022-23 season.
Kerr, 58, has established himself as a towering figure in the Warriors' dynasty, and is now committed to sticking around through what could become a transition for an organization built around Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson for more than a decade.
Kerr, who has won four titles and made six appearances in the NBA Finals, won his 500th game last Thursday. This made him the fifth fastest coach to do so in history.
Kerr is also the national coach for Team USA. He will coach the Americans at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
Kerr led the Warriors to 73 wins in the 2015-16 regular season, the most wins in NBA history. Now in his ninth season, Kerr is 501-264 during his tenure as Golden State's coach.