Inside The Spurs

Warriors Coach Steve Kerr Makes Prediction on Chris Paul's NBA Future

Steve Kerr had nothing but praise for Chris Paul ahead of facing him Sunday evening in San Antonio
Mar 28, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr reacts to a play against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half at Smoothie King Center.
Mar 28, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr reacts to a play against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half at Smoothie King Center. | Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

SAN ANTONIO — Feel for the game, emotional intelligence and curiosity. 

As far as Golden State Warriors captain Steve Kerr is concerned, those are three traits that make a good basketball coach. Chris Paul fits all of them.

"Chris would be an amazing coach," Kerr said before facing the 20-year veteran. "I’d be shocked if he didn’t go into it.”

Kerr's Warriors made the trip to San Antonio for a late-season contest against the hampered Spurs with their own seeding on the line. Their luck checks out; they'll be at full strength.

But Kerr knows better than to count out any team featuring Paul.

"I loved coaching him last year," the Warriors' coach said. "Just his IQ, his competitive desire, his commitment to the game itself ... it was a joy watching him work every day. More than anything, he loves to play basketball."

San Antonio Spurs guard Chris Paul
Mar 27, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Chris Paul (3) dribbles in the third quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images | David Richard-Imagn Images

Coming to San Antonio, Paul made his intentions clear. He wanted to "hoop," and so far, he's accomplished that. The veteran has yet to miss a contest this season — putting him in solid position to pass Kobe Bryant on the NBA's all-time games played list — which has satisfied his desire to play while simultaneously made him even more of a leader than he already is.

And if he had his druthers? He'd play all 48 minutes, too.

"I admire that about him," Kerr said. "He prepares himself to play every single night. I hope he plays these last eight or nine."

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Matt Guzman
MATT GUZMAN

Matt Guzman is a sports journalist and storyteller from Austin, Texas. He serves as a credentialed reporter and site manager for San Antonio Spurs On SI. In the world of professional sports, he’s a firm believer that athletes are people, too. He aims to spotlight the true, behind-the-scenes character of players and teams through strong narrative writing and sharp, hooking ledes.

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