Steve Kerr just turned 60, and the timing feels almost poetic. The man who has nine championship rings scattered across two decades as player and coach is now coaching on the final year of his contract, and nobody seems quite sure what comes next.

Here’s what we know: Kerr wants to be here. He said it himself after Anthony Slater’s report dropped. He’s not planning to negotiate an extension during the season, but he’s made it clear he’d love to continue with the Warriors beyond this year. The qualifier? He acknowledges it’s fluid. He knows the organization might look at where things stand and decide to move in a different direction.

Is that weird? Honestly, it’s refreshing in its transparency.

Think about the position Kerr occupies in Warriors history. He transformed this franchise from lovable underdogs into a dynasty that redefined how basketball is played. Four championships in eight seasons. The 73-win season. The motion offense that became the league standard. The way he maximized Curry’s gravity while creating space for everyone else. These weren’t just tactical innovations; they were applications of championship DNA he’d absorbed over 20 years as a player with the Bulls and Spurs.

But championship pedigree doesn’t guarantee job security, and Kerr knows this better than anyone. He’s watched the league cycle through coaching changes even when teams are winning. He understands organizational dynamics can shift based on factors beyond win-loss records. The fact that he’s willing to acknowledge this reality publicly shows the kind of self-awareness that made him successful in the first place.

So what does this mean for the 2024-25 season? It adds layers. Every game carries extra weight when you know this might be the final chapter. Every rotation decision, every timeout, every player development choice becomes part of a larger narrative about legacy and succession. The Warriors are navigating a transitional phase with an aging core, emerging young talent, and championship expectations that never really fade in the Bay Area. Having your head coach in a contract year while all of this unfolds creates an interesting tension.

But here’s the thing about Kerr: he’s always thrived when stakes are highest. That game-winning shot against Utah in the ‘97 Finals wasn’t just about making a basket. It was about understanding the moment, processing the pressure, and executing when everything mattered. He’s carried that mentality into coaching, where his best work often comes when navigating impossible circumstances.

This season becomes a referendum on whether Kerr can guide this team through another evolution. Can he develop the young guys while keeping the championship window cracked open for the core? Can he adapt his system yet again to maximize a roster that looks different than the Death Lineup era? The answers to these questions will likely determine whether he’s back next year or if both sides decide it’s time for something new.

The uncertainty isn’t bad. It’s just real. Kerr has already accomplished more than most coaches dream of achieving. If this is his final season with the Warriors, he’s earned the right to go out on his own terms. If he stays and builds something new with this next iteration of the roster, that adds another chapter to an already legendary story.