Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Steve Kerr

Discover the career path of Steve Kerr, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Steve Kerr is a highly successful American basketball coach and former player. Currently the head coach of the Golden State Warriors and the U.S. national team, he's celebrated for his exceptional three-point shooting accuracy during his playing career. As a player, he won five NBA championships. As a coach, he's led the Warriors to four NBA titles. Kerr was also recognized as one of the 15 Greatest Coaches in NBA History, solidifying his legacy in the sport.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

1983: College Basketball at University of Arizona

In 1983, Steve Kerr started playing basketball at the University of Arizona.

1988: College Basketball at University of Arizona

In 1988, Steve Kerr completed his college basketball career at the University of Arizona.

1988: All-American Honors and NBA Draft

In 1988, Steve Kerr earned All-American honors as a senior playing college basketball for the Arizona Wildcats and was selected by the Phoenix Suns in the second round of the NBA draft.

1988: Drafted by the Phoenix Suns

In 1988, Steve Kerr was selected by the Phoenix Suns in the second round of the NBA draft as the 50th overall pick.

1989: Traded to Cleveland Cavaliers

In 1989, Steve Kerr was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers for draft consideration.

December 1992: Traded to Orlando Magic

In December 1992, Steve Kerr was traded to the Orlando Magic for draft considerations.

1993: Signed with Chicago Bulls

In 1993, Steve Kerr signed with the Chicago Bulls.

1994: Playoffs with the Bulls

In the 1993–94 season, the Bulls made the playoffs.

1995: Playoffs with the Bulls

In the 1994–95 season, the Bulls made the playoffs.

1996: NBA Championship with the Bulls

In 1996, the Chicago Bulls defeated the Seattle SuperSonics in the NBA Finals.

1997: NBA Championship and Three-Point Contest Win

In 1997, Steve Kerr won an NBA Championship with the Bulls and the Three-Point Contest at the NBA All-Star Weekend.

1998: NBA Finals Game Two Against Utah

During Game Two of the 1998 NBA Finals against Utah, Kerr made a crucial pass to Jordan after grabbing his own rebound, contributing to a Bulls victory.

January 1999: Acquired by San Antonio Spurs

In January 1999, Steve Kerr was acquired by the San Antonio Spurs in a sign-and-trade deal with the Chicago Bulls.

2000: Chuck Person Trade

In January 1999, Chuck Person and a first-round pick in the 2000 NBA draft was sent to Chicago as part of a sign-and-trade deal involving Steve Kerr.

July 24, 2001: Traded to Portland Trail Blazers

On July 24, 2001, Steve Kerr was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers alongside Derek Anderson in a deal that brought Steve Smith to the Spurs.

August 2, 2002: Trade Back to San Antonio Spurs

On August 2, 2002, Steve Kerr was traded back to the San Antonio Spurs along with Erick Barkley and a 2003 second-round pick.

2003: Retirement from NBA

In 2003, Steve Kerr announced his retirement after the 2003 NBA Finals, having won five NBA championships during his career.

2003: Broadcast Analyst for TNT

In 2003, Steve Kerr became a broadcast analyst for Turner Network Television (TNT), offering commentary alongside analyst Marv Albert.

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2003: NBA Championship with Spurs and Retirement

In 2003, Steve Kerr won the NBA championship with the San Antonio Spurs and announced his retirement after the 2003 NBA Finals.

April 15, 2004: Potential Buyer of Phoenix Suns

On April 15, 2004, Steve Kerr was announced as a member of a potential group of buyers to acquire the Phoenix Suns from Jerry Colangelo.

2004: Minority Owner of Phoenix Suns

In 2004, Steve Kerr became a minority owner of the Phoenix Suns as part of a group led by Robert Sarver that purchased the team.

June 2, 2007: General Manager of Phoenix Suns

On June 2, 2007, Steve Kerr announced that he would become the general manager of the Phoenix Suns beginning with the 2007–08 season.

June 2007: President of Basketball Operations and General Manager

In June 2007, Steve Kerr was named the Phoenix Suns' president of basketball operations and general manager.

2007: Left Broadcasting for Phoenix Suns

In 2007, Steve Kerr left broadcasting to become the general manager of the Phoenix Suns.

December 10, 2008: Remaking the Suns Roster

On December 10, 2008, Steve Kerr continued to remake the Suns roster by trading Boris Diaw, Raja Bell, and Sean Singletary to the Charlotte Bobcats in exchange for Jason Richardson, Jared Dudley, and the Bobcats' 2010 second-round draft pick.

June 25, 2009: Trade for Ben Wallace

On June 25, 2009, Steve Kerr traded Shaquille O'Neal to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Ben Wallace, Sasha Pavlovic, a future second-round draft pick and cash.

June 2010: Departure from Phoenix Suns

In June 2010, Steve Kerr announced he was leaving his position as president of basketball operations and general manager for the Phoenix Suns.

2010: Returned to TNT as Analyst

For the 2010–11 NBA season, Steve Kerr returned as an NBA analyst for TNT.

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2010: Draft of Gani Lawal

In 2010 the Bobcats second-round draft pick which the suns obtained in 2008, was used to draft Gani Lawal of Georgia Tech.

2010: Left Phoenix Suns

In 2010, Steve Kerr left the Phoenix Suns as president of basketball operations and general manager.

2011: NCAA Championship Broadcast

In 2011, Steve Kerr called the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship on Turner Sports and CBS.

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May 14, 2014: Agreed to Become Head Coach for Golden State Warriors

On May 14, 2014, Steve Kerr reached an agreement to become the head coach for the Golden State Warriors, succeeding Mark Jackson with a five-year, $25 million deal.

May 2014: Head Coach of Golden State Warriors

In May 2014, Steve Kerr was named the head coach of the Golden State Warriors.

December 10, 2014: First Rookie Head Coach to 21 Wins in 23 Games

On December 10, 2014, Steve Kerr became the first NBA rookie head coach to win 21 of his first 23 games.

2014: NBA on TNT Commentator

After stepping down from his post with the Suns, Kerr worked as a color commentator for NBA on TNT until 2014.

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2014: Coaching Golden State Warriors

In 2014, Steve Kerr decided to coach the Golden State Warriors.

2015: Grantland Closure

From 2011 until it closed in 2015, Steve Kerr was a regular contributor to the website Grantland.

2015: NBA Championship in 2015

Under Steve Kerr's leadership, the Golden State Warriors won the NBA Championship in 2015.

January 22, 2016: Kerr Returns to Coaching After Leave of Absence

On January 22, 2016, Steve Kerr returned to coaching after missing 43 games due to back issues, though he warned he might need to miss games occasionally if there was a recurrence of the headaches and pain.

July 4, 2016: Golden State Warriors Signed Kevin Durant

On July 4, 2016, the Golden State Warriors acquired Kevin Durant, forming a "superteam" with Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green.

2017: NBA Championship in 2017

Under Steve Kerr's leadership, the Golden State Warriors won the NBA Championship in 2017.

2018: NBA Championship in 2018

Under Steve Kerr's leadership, the Golden State Warriors won the NBA Championship in 2018.

2019: Patrick McCaw's Championship Feat

In 2019, Patrick McCaw, whom Steve Kerr later coached with the Warriors, became the third NBA player in history to win three championships with two different teams in consecutive seasons.

2022: NBA Championship in 2022

Under Steve Kerr's leadership, the Golden State Warriors won the NBA Championship in 2022.

2024: Kerr Coached USA to Gold at Summer Olympics

In 2024, Steve Kerr coached the United States team to its fifth consecutive gold medal at the Summer Olympic Men's Basketball Tournament in Paris, defeating host country France.