Steve Kerr: It’s been a painful summer

Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr accepts that the 2019/20 campaign could be a transitional one for his side.

The Warriors have reached the NBA Finals in each of the last five seasons, beating Cleveland three times but losing 4-3 to the Cavaliers in 2015/16 and 4-2 to the Toronto Raptors earlier this year.

Since the surprising loss to the Canadian side, Golden State have seen the departures of Kevin Durant, Andre Iguodala, DeMarcus Cousins and Shaun Livingston while Klay Thompson is still recovering from a torn ACL.

Kerr accepts that it will be the start of a new era for the Warriors but he is looking forward to the challenge.

Golden State are 15.00 win the 2019/20 NBA Finals outright while the Los Angeles Clippers are available at 4.33 and the Lakers at 5.00.

“This summer was painful in many ways, losing the guys that we did,” said Kerr. “But it has been reassuring, in the sense that we brought back some key guys who are going to help us get to that next era, whatever that looks like.”

The Warriors have reached an agreement to retain Draymond Green while Kerr can also call on the services of Thompson and Stephen Curry once again.

Kerr said of Green’s decision to extend his contract with Golden State: “It didn’t surprise me that Draymond signed. He wanted to be here. He has talked about it all along.”

The Warriors have signed D’Angelo Russell from the Brooklyn Nets but Kerr knows that his team will no longer be the ones to beat, saying:

“I’d rather be the favourite again, to be honest with you but it’s a new challenge and I’m excited for it.”