BREAKING NEWS: Incredible Hit Great Mission Bay Chase Center, stadium as former Head coach Golden State warriors legend Don Nelson. has Returned to former team as a Co-owner no…see more

BREAKING NEWS: Don Nelson Returns to Golden State Warriors — This Time as Co-Owner

In a stunning and historic development, NBA legend and former head coach Don Nelson has returned to the Golden State Warriors — not to patrol the sidelines, but as a co-owner of the franchise.

Announced just moments ago at an event held at the Chase Center in Mission Bay, the news sent shockwaves through the basketball world and sparked massive excitement among longtime Warriors fans. Don Nelson, one of the most innovative and influential figures in NBA history, is reuniting with the team where he solidified much of his legacy.

Nelson, who coached the Warriors in two separate stints (1988–1995 and 2006–2010), was known for his unconventional strategies and fearless embrace of small-ball lineups long before they became league-wide trends. Under his leadership, the Warriors earned the nickname “Nellie Ball”, and he helped lay the groundwork for the team’s later championship identity.

“It feels like coming home.”

At the announcement, Nelson, now 85, appeared energized and emotional.

“It feels like coming home,” Nelson said. “Golden State has always been close to my heart, and to be back here, not as a coach but as a partner helping shape the future — it’s just incredible.”

Warriors CEO Joe Lacob confirmed that Nelson has joined a minority ownership group aimed at expanding the franchise’s community initiatives and basketball development programs.

A New Era at Chase Center

The announcement came during a packed pre-free agency press event at Chase Center, where excitement was already high with speculation about roster changes. Fans and reporters erupted into cheers as Nelson walked onto the court to rousing applause.

Social media quickly lit up, with #DonNelson and #DubNation trending within minutes.

A Legacy Continued

Don Nelson is the NBA’s all-time winningest coach with 1,335 victories (a record until 2022). Known for mentoring players like Chris Mullin, Baron Davis, and Stephen Curry in his rookie season, Nelson’s imprint on the Warriors is indelible.

His return signals more than nostalgia — it marks a symbolic bridge between the team’s past and its future.