The Golden State Warriors handed head coach Steve Kerr a contract extension on Tuesday, locking in the man who has led the franchise to three NBA Finals crowns in four seasons since 2015.
A statement from the Warriors quoted general manager Bob Myers as saying that Kerr, 52, would lead the team for the “next several years.”
“We’re excited to have Steve under contract... Myers said. “Under his guidance, we’ve been fortunate enough to win three NBA titles in four years and his ability to thrive in all facets of his job is certainly a primary reason for our success.
“He’s a terrific coach, but more importantly an incredible human being.”
Terms and conditions of the contract extension were not disclosed but reports said Kerr’s deal would make him one of the highest paid coaches in the NBA.
Kerr turned down an offer from the New York Knicks in 2014 and signed a five-year, $25 million contract with the Warriors. Since taking over, Kerr has overseen the rise of the Warriors as the dominant force in the NBA.
Only Phil Jackson (1991, 1992, 1993) and John Kundla (1949, 1950, 1951) have won three NBA titles in their first four seasons in charge. In playoffs, Kerr has a record of 63 win and 20 defeats, the highest winning percentage in NBA history amongst head coaches who have coached a minimum of 25 playoff games, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
The Warriors have also recorded 58 or more wins in each of their four regular seasons under Kerr, emulating the Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Lakers as the only teams to have achieved the feat.
Overall, Kerr’s record is 265 wins and 63 losses, the best four-year record in NBA history.
Pelicans sign former Xavier G Bluiett to 2-way contract
The New Orleans Pelicans signed guard Trevon Bluiett to a two-way contract, the team announced Tuesday. Per the two-way deal, the former Xavier Musketeers star will play primarily in the G League, but he is allowed to be moved up to the Pelicans’ NBA squad for up to 45 days.
Bluiett, 23, went undrafted last month but impressed by averaging 18.3 points per game at the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. He broke out immediately by scoring 50 points combined over his first two summer league games, knocking down six 3-pointers in a win over the Miami Heat.
The 6-foot-5 Bluiett averaged double figures in scoring for all four seasons while at Xavier, increasing his scoring average in every season - from 11.1 points per game as a freshman in 2014-15 to 19.3 last season.
Veteran Lopez officially signs with Bucks
Veteran centre Brook Lopez officially signed his one-year contract with the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday. Lopez’s deal is reportedly for $3.4 million deal via the biannual exception.
The 30-year-old Lopez averaged 13.0 points and 4.0 rebounds per game in 74 contests with the Los Angeles Lakers last season. He is expected to step in as the starting centre for the Bucks, who won 44 games a season ago before losing to the Boston Celtics in seven games in the first round of the playoffs.
In 10 career seasons with the New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets and the Lakers, Lopez has averaged 17.9 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. The 7-footer matched a career low in scoring and set a career low in minutes per game (23.4) last season, which marked his first in the Western Conference.
Napier, 27, reportedly inked a two-year deal with the Nets. The second year of the contract is a team option. Napier spent the last two seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers, posting career highs almost across the board last year. He averaged 8.7 points, 2.0 assists, 2.3 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 20.7 minutes per game across 74 appearances, including 10 starts. He also boosted his 3-point accuracy (37.6 percent), bringing his career average to 36.3 percent.
Steve Kerr
