The Golden State Warriors reportedly believe they have a "legit shot" of hiring TNT broadcaster Steve Kerr to replace Mark Jackson as coach. While the Warriors' front office is banking on Kerr's past relationship with president Rick Welts to help, many believe the Knicks are still the frontrunners to land Kerr.
Kerr reportedly is Golden State's top choice to become their next head coach, and they're
"A source with knowledge of the Warriors' thinking told ESPN New York on Wednesday evening that the team believes it has a 'legit shot' to land Kerr as its next head coach," ESPN's Ian Begley wrote on Thursday. "The organization is hoping that Kerr's ties to president Rick Welts will 'bring (Kerr) over since they are so close.'
"Kerr has several ties to the Warriors organization, including strong relationships with owner Joe Lacob, son Kirk Lacob (who works in Golden State's front office) and Welts, with whom Kerr worked closely while general manager of the Phoenix Suns."
The New York Daily News reported Kerr is expected to meet with Golden State sometime this week.
While Kerr has a relationship with Welts, he also has one with Knicks president Phil Jackson.
"Despite the full-court press applied by Golden State, the Knicks are still the favorite to land Kerr as the next head coach, a league source told ESPNewYork.com's Ian O'Connor on Wednesday evening," Begley wrote. "The source cited Kerr's respect for Phil Jackson and said those feelings outweigh the lure of taking a Golden State job that would leave him closer to his California-based family."
Most reports indicate that while Kerr is interested in the Golden State job, he is ultimately leaning toward reuniting with Phil Jackson in New York.
"Sources have indicated Kerr may have interest in listening to the Warriors, but isn't willing to wait, and that Kerr believes his best chance of success as a rookie head coach is learning under Phil Jackson," Marc Berman of the New York Post wrote on Monday.
Berman reported on Saturday, prior to the Golden State coaching job becoming available, that Kerr would make a decision regarding the Knicks' job sometime this week.
