ESPN is big-game hunting.
With Steve Kerr’s Warriors future uncertain, executives at ESPN are “aggressively” trying to convince Kerr to leave the Warriors and Stephen Curry to return to the broadcast booth, according to NBA reporter Marc Stein.
Kerr worked as a broadcaster for TNT from 2003-07 before becoming the Phoenix Suns GM, and he returned to TNT in 2010. He then flirted with the Knicks head-coaching gig in 2014 before taking the Warriors job later that summer.
The 60-year-old has won four championships with the Warriors, who became a dynasty with Curry, Draymond Green, Klay Thompson, and, briefly, Kevin Durant.
Green told reporters that he doesn’t believe Kerr will be back next season.
“I hope he’s our coach next year,” Green said. “If you want my opinion, I think not.”
Stern’s report adds that the Warriors are operating as if Kerr will return, more likely than not, and that they expect common ground can be found to keep Kerr with the team.
Things in Golden State ended a bit unceremoniously this year as the No. 10 seed won their first play-in tournament game but lost to the Suns to miss the playoffs.
Meanwhile, ESPN has had plenty of shifts in its lead broadcast booth, which had previously been a trio of Mike Breen, Doris Burke, and a revolving door for the third person, including Richard Jefferson, Doc Rivers, and J.J. Redick.
Burke was removed from the booth in a controversial move and replaced by Tim Legler, leaving the three-man broadcast booth of Breen, Jefferson, and Legler.
With Rivers having been fired by the Bucks and Kerr potentially available as well, ESPN is in a spot to land a big fish in the broadcast booth, though the Warriors will surely not want to lose Kerr and will likely offer a contract extension to keep him around.
