Golden State Warriors' coach Steve Kerr is contemplating his future as the four-time NBA champion coach suggested there is a chance he depart his role after their season ended on Friday night.
The Warriors' playoff hopes were ended in an 111-96 play-in loss to the Phoenix Suns, who claimed the final playoff spot available in the Western Conference and will face No 1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder.
Stephen Curry, 38, finished with 17 points as the Warriors brought the curtain down on a disappointing campaign.
"It might still go on. It may not," Kerr said after the game.
He shared an embrace with Curry and Draymond Green, the team's two constants from the Warriors' title runs with Kerr, in the final moments of Friday night and appeared to mouth the words "thank you."
Kerr wouldn't reveal what he said in that moment.
"None of your business," he said, smiling.
Green and Curry both made clear that they want him back but Kerr's future has been the subject of speculation for some time, fuelled in part by him coaching this year on the final season of his existing contract.
"I want coach to be happy, I want him to be excited about the job," Curry said.
"He knows how I feel about him, that shouldn't even need to be said."
Green shared a similar sentiment when asked if he could even fathom the Warriors without Kerr on the sideline.
"I just don't deal with change well, I don't love it," Green said.
"So, I don't want to think about that. I hope that's not the case but we'll see what happens."
60-year-old Kerr just finished his 12th season with the Warriors. He's 604-353 in that span, led Golden State to the NBA Finals in each of his first five seasons - and once since then as well - plus guided USA Basketball to Olympic gold at the Paris Games in 2024.
He said he'll meet with Warriors owner Joe Lacob and general manager Mike Dunleavy eventually, to chart a path for what's next, suggesting that might come in a week or two.
"We'll talk about what's next for the Warriors, what the plan is this offseason," Kerr said.
"And we will come to a collaborative decision on what's next. I don't know what's going to happen.
"I still love coaching but I get it, these jobs all have an expiration date.
"There's a run that happens, and when the run ends, sometimes it's time for new blood and new ideas and all that.
"And, if that's the case, then I will be just nothing but grateful for the most amazing opportunity any person could have to coach this franchise, in front of our fans in the Bay and to coach Steph Curry, to coach Dray and the whole group."
Paolo Banchero scored 25 points as the Orlando Magic beat the Charlotte Hornets 121-90 in the NBA Play-In Tournament on Friday night.
The Magic secured the 8 seed in the playoffs with the win.
Banchero had five rebounds and six assists for the Magic while Franz Wagner added 18 points, shooting five of 10 from the field and eight of 10 from the line, and had seven rebounds and six assists.
LaMelo Ball led the way for the Hornets with 23 points and five assists, but it wasn't enough to take the side to their first playoff game in 10 years.
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