![The Chicago Bulls have the assets to make a run at Eric Bledsoe - [image credit: Suns media/Youtube]](https://staticr1.blastingcdn.com/media/photogallery/2017/10/30/660x290/b_502x220x82/the-chicago-bulls-have-the-assets-to-make-a-run-at-eric-bledsoe-image-credit-suns-mediayoutube_1664101.jpg "The Chicago Bulls have the assets to make a run at Eric Bledsoe - [image credit: Suns media/Youtube]")
The Golden State Warriors want to keep head coach Steve Kerr around for years to come. Tim Kawakami of the Athletic reported that the Warriors are expecting their head coach to sign a multi-year contract extension next summer. Kerr, who guided the Warriors to two NBA titles in three years, also confirmed the contract extension talks and stressed that he has no desire coaching elsewhere.
According to Kawakami, a new contract for Kerr has been on the table since last summer, but the Warriors bench tactician begged for more time until he’s sure enough that his health will permit him to coach long-term.
Kerr’s struggle with headaches and back pain as a result of a back surgery in 2015 has been well documented. He missed 43 games to start the 2016-17 NBA season and then skipped 11 playoff games before returning in the NBA Finals to steer the Warriors to another championship.
Warriors general manager Bob Myers and owner Joe Lacob very much understand Kerr’s hesitance, though both are confident that he will sign the contract extension.
“Kerr and general manager Bob Myers held the initial talks — and Kerr, Myers and Warriors owner Joe Lacob all told The Athletic on Sunday that they fully expect that Kerr will sign an extension next summer,” Kawakami noted.
What does this mean for Golden State?
Kerr is currently in the fourth year of a five-year, $25 million coaching deal he signed with the Warriors in 2014.
Despite his lack of previous coaching background, the former Bulls/Spurs sharpshooter turned Golden State into a legit title contender as he led them to 67 wins and a title in his first season.
The Warriors followed it up with a record-breaking 73 wins in the 2015-16 season and 67 wins in the 2016-17 season. Golden State lost to the Cavs in a thrilling seven-game finals series in 2016 but came back stronger than ever (thanks to the acquisition of Kevin Durant) to win their third NBA championship meeting with LeBron James and his gang in Cleveland last June.
The Warriors will be the biggest winners if Kerr decides to coach for more years. Aside from ensuring stability in the coaching ranks, Kerr’s offensive innovations and championship pedigree have been the benchmarks throughout the Warriors’ dynasty run.
Bledsoe to the Bulls
The Phoenix Suns are still working hard to find disgruntled guard Eric Bledsoe a new team, but their desire to get a young player as compensation has been the biggest obstacle in trade negotiations.
The Milwaukee Bucks, New York Knicks, Denver Nuggets, and Cleveland Cavaliers have all contacted the Suns for Bledsoe, yet none of their offers piqued the interest of GM Ryan McDonough.
HoopsHype writer Bryan Kalbrosky floated a hypothetical trade in which the Chicago Bulls sent one of their young players (Bobby Portis, Kris Dunn, and Cameron Payne) to the Suns in exchange for Bledsoe. The scribe pointed out that the Bulls have the assets and cap space to make a run at the dynamic Suns guard.
Apart from the Mirotic-Portis saga, Chicago is also dealing with poor point guard play from their current crop of guards (Jerian Grant and Kris Dunn). Bledsoe, who can easily drop 17 points and seven assists per game when healthy, can be that long-term fix at the point guard position. Then again, it’s going to be interesting what kind of trade package the Bulls front-office is willing to give up for Bledsoe.
