Warriors’ GM says Kerr’s health is ‘trending in the right direction’

Myers said Kerr is "trending in the right direction" after missing most of training camp and the first 43 games of last season with complications stemming from back surgery. Kerr underwent back surgery in July 2015, weeks after the Warriors won the 2014-15 NBA championship. Kerr appointed Luke Walton, in just his second season as an NBA assistant, as Golden State's interim head coach. Kerr received official credit for the wins Walton oversaw, and was named NBA Coach of the Year in April (Walton tied for eighth in the voting). With Walton now the Lakers' head coach, assistant coaches Mike Brown and Jarron Collins would likely be the top candidates for the interim head-coaching job if Kerr misses time this season. Brown, hired in July to fill Walton's vacancy as Kerr's top assistant, is 347-216 in head-coaching stops with the Cavaliers (2005-10, 2013-14) and Lakers (2011-12). Small forward Kevon Looney is expected to be ready Tuesday after two hip surgeries limited his rookie season to five games, and rookie center Damian Jones (torn right pectoral muscle) is on track to return to basketball activities in December.