WARRIORS Kerr’s aching to get camp started
General manager Bob Myers and head coach Steve Kerr tipped off the Warriors’ 2015-16 season Friday, covering an expanse of topics just four days before the opening of training camp.
The team’s most public decisionmakers offered insights on topics including possible contract extensions for Harrison Barnes and Festus Ezeli, the hiring of a two-time MVP, the final roster spot available and Kerr’s health issues.
“The last couple of months have stunk for me,” said Kerr, who had two offseason back surgeries. “It wasn’t the summer I was envisioning after winning the title and thinking, ‘This is the greatest thing ever.’
“It’s been a rough go, but it always is exciting when the season is getting ready to start and guys are back in town. That feeling is in the air, and that part is exciting.”
Because he considers the medical processes a private matter and “not that fun to talk about,” Kerr didn’t go into much detail. He did say that complications with his back forced
him to miss the coaches’ retreat to Napa two weeks ago and that he’ll probably “take a little bit of a backseat during camp.”
In part because the team had a shortened offseason, Kerr already was planning to do away with two-a-day practices during training camp. No matter how much the Warriors practice between now and Oct. 31 — the deadline for extending rookie contracts — the attention probably won’t wane on Barnes.
The team’s starting small forward recently changed agents and reportedly turned down a four-year, $64 million contract extension. Myers said he had only “just begun” talks with Jeffrey Wechsler when Barnes switched to Jeff Schwartz, and that — as usual — he expects negotiations to go down to the wire.
The ownership group has a history of agreeing to terms and paying its players, but not doing so until just before a deadline. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson each extended his rookie contract Oct. 31. Andrew Bogut, who said he wouldn’t discuss a new contract once the 2013 season began, re-upped with the Warriors five days before the season opener.
“I think the norm for extensions is to let it linger and see what happens at the end, so we will. We’ll work hard and see what happens, but it has to work for us and has to work for him,” Myers said. “Tune in Oct. 28-31, and we’ll have an answer for you.”
Myers admitted that it’s a new day with the amount of money being made and spent by NBA owners, but he believes the league remains a deadline-driven business. He’ll take the same mentality into talks with Ezeli, who thrived during last season’s championship run.
Just about the rest of the Warriors’ offseason paperwork is done. On Friday, they made the hiring of Steve Nash as a player-development consultant official.
According to Kerr, Nash will work in Oakland probably three or four days a month, but the team is open to having the eight-time AllStar point guard around more often.
“I think Steve is the most innovative athlete I’ve ever seen, when it comes to pursuing greatness — whether it’s conditioning, basketball drills, whatever,” Kerr said. “He’s got an amazing feel for the game and an amazing mind. Steve was the most efficient player I’ve ever been around, and my hope is that he can make our guys more efficient.”
Neither Myers nor Kerr talked much about roster specifics, but there were three things of note. Kerr said he doesn’t plan to limit Bogut’s minutes any more than he did during the last regular season, both said reserve swingman Brandon Rush has a chance to compete for the backup shooting-guard position, and both talked as if there’s only one available roster spot.
The Warriors have 13 guaranteed contracts, but it seems like a foregone conclusion that James Michael McAdoo will be on the roster. That could leave Ian Clark, Jarell Eddie, Ben Gordon, Tony Mitchell and Juwan Staten competing for the final roster spot. Gordon hasn’t signed yet, but he’s expected to do so before camp opens.