The Warriors opted to make minor changes to their roster this summer rather than a massive overhaul. This approach puts more pressure on the head coach Steve Kerr and its updated staff, according to Monte Poole of NBC Sports Bay Areaas the team struggled in various aspects of the game last season, including “sloppy late-game execution, silly turnovers, curious shot selection and defensive rotations that were too late or missed altogether.”
For his part, Kerr is optimistic that Golden State will improve on its 37-45 record from 2025-26.
“We learned everything in the offseason, spent a lot of time watching film and seeing certain combinations, what went well, what didn’t go well.Kerr told NBC Sports Bay Area.And I think we have a chance to be much better this year than we were last year. I truly believe we will get better, and I think I should be better.”
Kerr says he will cooperate with aides Bruce “Q” Fraser, Seth Cooper and Nicholas Kerr on offense while the new assistant head coach Frank Vogel will handle defenses featuring returning personnel Yaakov Rubin and Anthony Vereenwrites Poole.
“Frank is a great coach” Kerr told Poole. “He’s obviously been a head coach in the league for many years. He’s a great defensive mind. I am delighted. I think he will be a good voice for our team. He is especially good defensively, but I feel very comfortable around me. I’m going to pass the protection on to him.”
Here’s more on the Warriors:
- Talking to By Joseph Dykus of the Bay Area News GroupVogel says Kerr initially expressed interest in joining Golden State’s staff in the 2024 offseason, shortly after Vogel was let go by Phoenix after one season as the Suns’ head coach. At the time, Vogel decided to take a consulting job with Dallas, but he remained on the Warriors’ radar even now excited join the legends of the franchise Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Kerr, who combined to win four championships. “This is a special opportunity to be a part of the legacy they have inherited” – Vogel said –And we’ll see if we can squeeze some magic out of these last few years that they’ve been together.”
- Vogel, 53, also spoke with Dykus about Green’s defensive impact and how difficult it is to game plan against Curry, among other topics. Vogel was impressed Yaksel Landeborgunselfishness — The former Michigan star was selected 11th overall in June’s draft. “You know, Jaxel’s game has very little attacking pressure, and that’s what you dream of as a coach.” Vogel said.You need players who will play the right way every time they go down. He does it naturally.”
- Kerr recently offered Green’s role in attack will look a little different in 2026/27. The former Defensive Player of the Year said on his podcast (Link to YouTube), that he welcomes the opportunity to shoot more 3-pointers, trans Dylan Grouse of NBC Sports Bay Area. “As far as shooting threes, as coach Kerr told me for the first time in my career at the end of last year, he pulled me aside and said, “Draymond, I want you to shoot a three.” And I thought, “Oh…”. It was like an out-of-body feeling because I’ve never heard him confidently look me in the eye and tell me, “Hey, I want you to shoot the basketball” Green said. “… When he told me, my confidence level went up right away. It was great for me, and now I can go into the season with the mindset of, I’m catching, I’m open, I’m shooting. For me, ultimately, it’s going to help my shooting percentage, because it’s a lot different shooting a three when you’re catching and you’re not sure if you should shoot a three, or when you’re catching and you’re looking for the next action because it’s kind of your role in the offense. It’s a completely different shooting game because it’s not a rhythm three anymore.”