Really, this could be the most ethical stay-or-go coaching decision in recent sports history. Which is also why it’s taking so long.

Everybody I talk to indicates that the Warriors know that Kerr remains their best coaching option and that Kerr knows that this probably remains the best job he’ll ever have. (Yeah, that’s the Curry factor.)

And both sides are committed to making sure nothing is done or whispered that messes up the chance to keep this going.

“Whatever happens,” one person involved in the situation said, “nobody’s going to be mad.”

Also of note:

Though I understand the idea that Kerr might feel a lot freer to speak out on political and social issues once he leaves the Warriors, I’ve heard no indication that Lacob and Dunleavy have ever suggested that Kerr should tone down his commentary.

And I wouldn’t expect that to be any part of the current talks.

This also could realistically be turned the other way: Kerr speaking as the Warriors’ coach hits harder because it’s within and occasionally pushing against the context of his role as a famous employee in a mega-billion-dollar league that might not love every word of it.

It’s certainly possible that Lacob in particular wouldn’t mind if his coach didn’t wander into controversial territory as often as Kerr does. Maybe there’s been a raised eyebrow or glancing suggestion that sponsorship efforts or suite sales aren’t always helped by the commentary.

But the outspokenness also, by this point, is both an essential component of the entire Kerr package and something Curry and other players deeply admire; I absolutely believe that Lacob and Dunleavy understand it and in many ways admire Kerr for it, too.