All signs indicate Nellie will return to coach Warriors

[Warhawk]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2924398

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Don Nelson has still not committed to returning next season as coach of the Golden State Warriors, but he's acting as if he will be.

Andrew D. Bernstein/Getty Images
Don Nelson is under contract with the Warriors for two more years.



Nelson worked out draft prospects in the last month and is coaching the Warriors' summer league team.
Nelson said he has lost about 20 pounds since the end of the season and feels great, but plans to talk to team president Robert Rowell before making his decision. It's possible Nelson is looking to re-negotiate the three-year deal worth a reported $18 million he signed last summer.
"I don't want to talk about that," Nelson said Monday. "That will all get worked out. If it doesn't, I'll be very happy retired. If it does, I'll be very happy to coach."
Rowell said he's had no discussions about reworking Nelson's deal and that he expects that Nelson will be back after leading the team to its first playoff appearance since 1994.
Warriors top executive Chris Mullin said Nelson's status has not been an issue with free agents he has talked to, saying that most decisions usually come down to money anyway. Mullin also said he has no reason to believe Nelson won't be back next season.
"I got Nellie to come back. I'm going to keep Nellie here," Mullin said. "Whatever those issues might be, they'll be resolved."
Nelson, who turned 67 in May, went 42-40 in his first season back with Golden State, where he also coached from 1988-95. His 1,232 career coaching victories are the second-most in NBA history.

 

[Warhawk]

Nelson reportedly seeking significant raise

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2930398

The health concerns Don Nelson said he had heading into this offseason no longer appear to be an issue. The coach of the Warriors recently said he's lost about 20 pounds since the end of Golden State's season and feels great.

Don is very conflicted. He is extremely excited about this team, but at the same time, he exhausted himself this last season like he has never done before.

John O'Connor, rep for Nellie




Before he fully commits to returning to the Warriors, however, Nelson has one more self-induced obstacle to overcome: his contract.
Citing league sources, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Monday that Nelson, who turned 67 in May, is seeking a significant pay raise from his current three-year deal. Warriors president Robert Rowell and John O'Connor, Nelson's representative, met last week to discuss the matter.
"All I will say is that Don is very conflicted," O'Connor told the Chronicle. "He is extremely excited about this team, but at the same time, he exhausted himself this last season like he has never done before."
Nelson has two years and $6.2 million left on his contract and wants the deal's playoff-related bonuses to be guaranteed, which would bring his annual salary to about $6 million. Nelson's $3.1 million base salary ranks among the bottom half of the league, the Chronicle said.
Warriors top executive Chris Mullin said last week he has no reason to believe Nelson won't be back next season.
"I got Nellie to come back. I'm going to keep Nellie here," Mullin said. "Whatever those issues might be, they'll be resolved."
Former Warriors coach Mike Montgomery, who was fired two years into his four-year contract, is still owed $2.5 million, the Chronicle reported.