It seems like everyone wants to play with Victor Wembanyama. De’Aaron Fox named the San Antonio Spurs his preferred landing spot, and the Spurs have been linked to stars like Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The Spurs, to their credit, are taking their time to build a reliable core around Wembanyama. It was expected that Gregg Popovich would guide him through his first several seasons, although the legendary coach stepped down.
To replace him, the Spurs promoted interim head coach Mitch Johnson to the full-time role. Johnson seems to have the backing of Wembanyama, Popovich, and general manager Brian Wright.
The Spurs could pivot and pair Wembanyama with one of the most winningest figures in NBA history, should he become available.
San Antonio Spurs Urged to Add Steve Kerr
Before he won four titles as head coach of the Golden State Warriors, Steve Kerr won five rings as a player. His final two came as a sharpshooting specialist for the Spurs, where he was introduced to Popovich.
Kerr has cited Pop as a massive influence on his coaching, and even with Johnson assuming the mantle, appointing Kerr as Popovich’s successor makes sense.
One NBA expert thinks the fit is a match made in heaven.
The Spurs should pursue Steve Kerr,” declared Yahoo! Sports’ Kevin O’Connor.
Would Kerr be interested in returning to San Antonio? The question has never seriously been broached, as Kerr has found success in Golden State and has become synonymous with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. However, he has long admired the “Spurs Way,” built by Popovich.
“Pop is one of the most important people in my life for many, many reasons,” said Kerr after Popvich announced his retirement. “Most of them go way beyond basketball.”
Steve Kerr’s Tenure in Golden State Could Be Ending
With four rings, Kerr is the best coach the Warriors have ever had. He got the best out of Hall of Famers like Curry, Green, Durant, and Klay Thompson. For the most part, he was able to keep a lid on the butting personalities on his roster.
As the Warriors prepare for a post-Curry rebuild, Kerr might not be a part of their next chapter. Would the longtime winner really want to lead a languishing team? Or would he want to take the easy route and link up with Wembanyama under Popovich, who is still president of basketball operations?
After this season, Kerr will be a free agent. The Warriors can offer him an extension at any time.
“However this ends, it’s going to be it’s going to be done in a really quality way,” Kerr explained on September 30th. “It’s going to happen the right way. If it’s meant to be for me to keep going, then I’m going to keep going. And if it’s meant to be for, you know, the team to move on to somebody else, there will be, you know, nothing but gratitude and appreciation.”