While Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr announced his potential retirement alongside All-Star Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, he looked back on Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson's respective exits. Kerr contemplated retiring after the 2025-26 season before signing a two-year deal over the summer.

Reflecting on the Warriors' back-to-back titles amidst a potential dynasty with Durant, Kerr didn't expect the future Hall of Fame forward to stay, he said, per The Ringer's Logan Murdock.

“Well, first of all, I knew that there was no such thing, and I knew that because of ’98, right? Everybody on earth, all the sports fans, all the talking heads, their vision is that the championship is won and the superstar rides off into the sunset,” Kerr said. “So I don’t know … maybe John Elway did that? Maybe.”

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr played alongside Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, and the Chicago Bulls during the 1990s, winning three consecutive titles from 1996 to 1998. Entering the 1997-98 season, it was well-knowned to be the Bulls' last dance as the core was prepared to go their separate ways. Bulls GM Jerry Krause was reportedly prepared to move on ahead of a rebuild in Chicago.

“Yeah, but everybody says that ended wrong for the Bulls,” Kerr said. “There is no such thing. It can’t end in this perfect way because there’s always a next season. ”

Kerr didn't wish anything different to happen ahead of Kevin Durant's decision as a free agent in 2018. However, Kerr admits he wishes Klay Thompson stayed following the Warriors' last Finals victory in 2022.

“I mean, it would’ve been great if Klay could have retired as a Warrior as well,” Kerr said.

Article Continues Below

Still, nothing about Durant and Thompson's respective exits changes their legacies with the Warriors.

“They’re all going to have a statue outside this building,” Kerr said. “They are, and they all deserve it. And so yeah, if you want to use your imagination and create this utopian vision, all four guys stay until the very end and they all retire together and we have a really nice party and everybody gives a nice speech. Good luck with that.”

Kerr, Thompson and the Warriors won four titles, two of which, along with Durant, who won Finals MVP in back-to-back seasons in 2018.