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Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob’s brief interaction with a fan via email has gone viral following a 136-131 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday night.
As a result, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr was asked about Lacob’s email exchange with fan Justin Dutari, which Kerr did not see as a major issue.
“Not a big deal,” Kerr told reporters of the email exchange, via ESPN. “Not worried about anything like that.”
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Head coach Steve Kerr, left, and owner Joe Lacob of the Golden State Warriors during a game against the San Antonio Spurs during the 2022 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 10, 2022, in Las Vegas. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
In the email to Lacob, Dutari criticized the Warriors’ play, saying the team needs a “real second option,” adding that veteran All-Star Jimmy Butler’s “tools are being underutilized.”
“I am so frustrated,” Dutari’s email concluded, via ESPN.
It’s not uncommon for fans to voice their frustrations with teams to the owner, but that usually doesn’t warrant a response. This time it did, and Dutari posted the interaction on Reddit. And the Warriors later confirmed that it was Lacob who responded.
“You can’t be as frustrated as I am. I’m working on it. It’s complicated,” Lacob responded in the email. “Style of play. Coaches [sic] wishes for players. League trends. Jimmy is not the problem.”
Based on Lacob’s answer, Kerr would definitely be asked about that given the “coaches’ wishes regarding players” part.
Head coach Steve Kerr, left, and owner Joe Lacob of the Golden State Warriors during a game against the San Antonio Spurs during the 2022 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 10, 2022, in Las Vegas. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
But Kerr is clearly sweeping this one under the rug and continuing to focus on the team.
The Warriors are 13-14 entering Tuesday, which puts them in eighth place in the Western Conference. Kerr is also in the final year of his contract, and he announced before the season that he is not seeking a contract extension. He wanted to see how the season went before talking about his future with the team.
Kerr’s work with the Warriors has led to four NBA titles since the 2014-15 season, although the team has not advanced past the Western Conference semifinals since winning it all in 2022.
Kerr has been a fixture in his team’s offensive game through Steph Curry and Draymond Green, given their chemistry together. However, some argue that changes should be made given the younger players on the roster.
Head coach Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors looks on during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Chase Center on Nov. 29, 2025, in San Francisco. (Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
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“We’re all frustrated,” Kerr added. “Joe is frustrated. I’m frustrated. Steph and [Green]everyone is frustrated. This is how the league works. I hate it when people send private emails. Imagine if everyone’s emails were just made public, how difficult it would be to live our lives.”
Lacob and GM Mike Dunleavy continue to support Kerr despite the results this season, while Curry has expressed his desire for Kerr to remain on the staff beyond this season.
