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Adrian Wojnarowski, ESPN
Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr, the architect of four franchise championships, has agreed to a two-year, $35 million contract extension that will make him the highest-paid coach in NBA history, Priority Sports agents Rick Smith and Dan Evaloff told ESPN. On Friday.
Kerr's contract expires at the end of 2023-24, and his $17.5 million a season extension takes him through the 2025-26 campaign. The extension aligns Stephen Curry with two years remaining on his contract.
San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich earns more annually, sources say, but he holds the dual title of president and coach. Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra has signed an eight-year extension that will pay him about $15 million per season, according to sources.
The deal caps months of talks between Golden State general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. and Kerr's representatives, giving the Warriors assurances that they will retain a coach whose .655 winning percentage ranks fifth in league history.
Securing Kerr's continued presence with Dunleavy to lead the company remains a priority for owner Joe Lacob. The Warriors never reached an extension with former president and GM Bob Myers leaving at the end of the 2022-23 season.
Kerr, 58, has established himself as a key figure in the Warriors' dynasty and is committed to continuing what could become a transitional phase of an organization built around Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson for more than a decade.
Kerr, who has four titles and six appearances in the NBA Finals, won his 500th game last Thursday. That made him the fifth fastest coach in history.
He is also the USA National Coach. 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 in NBA history. Now in his ninth season, Kerr is 501-264 during his tenure in Golden State.
