Kerr returns to Phoenix for Suns game

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr returned to Phoenix on Saturday to watch his team lose to the local Suns, 131-122. The game marked the home opener for Phoenix at Mortgage Matchup Center and offered Kerr a chance to revisit the place where his professional career began.

Kerr’s path to the NBA started in Tucson. He received the only Division I scholarship he was offered from legendary Arizona coach Lute Olson. Kerr credited Olson with launching his career, stating that his time at the University of Arizona was life-changing. During his senior season in 1987-88, Kerr helped lead the Wildcats to their first No. 1 national ranking and their first Final Four appearance. He set an NCAA Division I record for 3-point field goal percentage at 57.3 percent during that year, a mark that still stands.

The Suns selected Kerr in the second round of the 1988 NBA Draft. He played for the team during his early professional years before moving to the Cleveland Cavaliers and Orlando Magic. Kerr later joined the Suns front office as president of basketball operations from 2007 to 2010. During that tenure, he and his staff believed they had secured a deal to acquire the draft rights to Steph Curry. The Warriors, however, kept the selection at No. 7 overall, ending the potential reunion before it began.

Kerr now coaches the Warriors, a team he joined in 2014. His contract with Golden State ends after the upcoming season. That timeframe coincides with the end of Steph Curry’s guaranteed contract, though Curry holds a player option for the 2028-29 season. Draymond Green, the team’s veteran forward, will become a free agent after this season concludes.

Despite the looming contract decisions, Kerr emphasized his connection to the Valley. He noted that many friends from his Suns days remain in the area. Kerr said he looks forward to seeing them during his visits. He described the Suns organization as holding a special place in his heart, citing his time both as a player and an executive in Phoenix.

Players on the current Warriors roster acknowledged Kerr’s leadership style. Center Charles Bassey noted that Kerr allows players to play through mistakes rather than substituting them immediately. Guard De’Anthony Melton, a former Suns player, said Kerr’s playing experience helps him understand the nuances of the game. Melton added that Kerr helps the team maintain focus regardless of their performance.

Kerr’s career includes five championships as a player with the Chicago Bulls and San Antonio Spurs and four championships as a head coach with the Warriors. He holds the NBA record for the best career 3-point field goal percentage at 45.4. His journey from a scholarship athlete in Arizona to an NBA legend has spanned four decades, with Phoenix serving as a constant point of return.