Why the Warriors just dumped the coaches that made Steve Kerr’s system work and what comes next

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Steve Kerr’s new bench will look completely different

The Golden State Warriors are not just making minor changes to their coaching staff. They are replacing two key assistants who provided Steve Kerr with the most distinct offensive and defensive voices on his bench.

Terry Stotts and Jerry Stackhouse are both leaving Kerr’s staff, ending a two-year stretch in which Golden State tried to modernise its offence and sharpen its defensive accountability around an ageing core. That matters because the Warriors already know what this roster looks like when the old internal balance is not enough.

Golden State brought in Stotts to complement Kerr’s read-and-react system with a bit more structure. Even though this season didn’t go as planned, that role remained important. The Warriors finished 19th in offensive rating, raising questions about whether the issues were down to injuries or if it was time for a more defined approach.

What made Stotts valuable was his different viewpoint. He offered a way to connect Kerr’s style with a league that has shifted toward straightforward plays, quick decisions, and late-clock simplicity. With him gone, the Warriors need to decide if they want someone similar or if it’s time for a bigger change in direction.

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Stackhouse’s impact went beyond just the defence

Stackhouse may have been tasked with overseeing the defence, but his influence extended well beyond just tactics. Reports on his departure have highlighted how he became a trusted voice among the veterans, able to bring an edge to conversations without it ever feeling forced.

In a team where personalities matter as much as X’s and O’s, that kind of presence carries real weight. Kerr has always prioritised building trust and collaboration within his staff. Stackhouse added a unique tone to that dynamic, something far more difficult to replace than any particular scheme or playbook.

The Warriors don’t need to just reshuffle names on the coaching staff. What they need is a clearer direction. Last season, between Jimmy Butler’s ACL injury and Steph Curry missing time, it was hard to separate what needed fixing from what was simply bad luck. Still, the team finished with an offence stuck in the middle of the pack and a defence that slipped further behind.

The key question now is whether the Warriors want to bring in assistants who keep Kerr’s style intact or push it toward something more current and less tied to old habits. Stotts and Stackhouse each represented a different approach to that same issue, so replacing both will give us a clear look at which version of themselves Golden State still believes in.

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