NBA Controversial Rumor: Golden State extend Head Coach Kerr and that means they will win the Draft Lottery?

After exactly three weeks of deliberation, Steve Kerr agreed to a two-year contract to return as Golden State Warriors coach, reaching terms to continue the partnership into what will be his 13th season and beyond.

The deal will keep Kerr as the highest-paid coach in the NBA. Kerr had multiple meetings with controlling owner Joe Lacob and general manager Mike Dunleavy, discussing offensive philosophy, the long-term outlook of the roster, and the bigger-picture direction of the franchise. “It was never going to be about money,” one team source said. “We had to make the best basketball decision.”

This extension comes after a disappointing injury-ravaged 37-45 season that ended with a play-in loss to the Phoenix Suns. Kerr had hinted at possibly departing but ultimately decided to stay for what could be the fading days — and potentially the final chapter — of the Stephen Curry era in Golden State.

And that’s exactly where NBA media personality Bill Simmons jumped in with a controversial hot take.

Simmons implied in a recent Tweet/podcast segment that the Warriors could be positioned — or even “helped” — to land a high draft pick in the 2026 NBA Draft lottery. The idea is that Golden State might use the lottery to rebuild aggressively while still giving Curry one last legitimate shot at another title before the end of his legendary career.

The Lottery Odds Context (as of April 2026)

Here are the current projected odds for the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery:

Washington Wizards: 14.0%
Indiana Pacers: 14.0%
Brooklyn Nets: 14.0%
Utah Jazz: 11.5%
Sacramento Kings: 11.5%
Memphis Grizzlies: 9.0%
Atlanta Hawks (via NOP): 6.8%
Dallas Mavericks: 6.7%
Chicago Bulls: 4.5%
Milwaukee Bucks: 3.0%
Golden State Warriors: 2.0%
Oklahoma City Thunder (via LAC): 1.5%
Miami Heat: 1.0%
Charlotte Hornets: 0.5%

With only a 2.0% chance at the No. 1 pick, the Warriors are not favorites. However, Simmons’ hot take suggests that with the right “luck” (or conspiracy theories fans love to debate), Golden State could jump into the top few picks and add a transformative young talent to pair with Curry, Draymond Green, and the rest of the core for one final push.

Why This Hot Take Is So Controversial

Simmons’ comment taps into long-standing fan suspicions about lottery “rigging” and big-market favoritism. The idea that the Warriors — a franchise with five titles in the Curry era and massive global appeal — could somehow benefit from the lottery system strikes many as convenient at best and conspiratorial at worst. Critics argue it undermines the integrity of the draft, while supporters see it as realistic franchise strategy: maximize the final years of a generational talent like Curry while rebuilding for the future.

Kerr’s extension adds fuel to the fire. By committing to the coach who has led the dynasty, the Warriors are signaling they are not ready to fully blow it up. A high lottery pick would allow them to do both — add elite young talent and give Curry one more realistic window.

The Bigger Picture for the Warriors

This offseason will be pivotal. With Curry entering the twilight of his career, the Warriors must decide whether to go all-in for one more ring or begin a proper rebuild. Simmons’ hot take suggests the franchise could try to thread the needle: use the lottery to accelerate the next era while keeping the Curry window open as long as possible.

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