BREAKING NEWS :Golden State Warriors, Former Head Coach Don Nelson Returns to Golden State Warriors as Co-Owner, Marking a New Era for the Franchise. The Warriors’ ownership group revealed on…

 In a stunning development that has electrified the basketball world, the Golden State Warriors have announced that legendary former head coach Don Nelson is officially returning to the franchise—not on the sidelines, but in the boardroom.

The Warriors’ ownership group revealed in a press release this morning that Nelson has joined the team as a minority co-owner, bringing his storied legacy full circle with the franchise he helped define over several decades. The announcement was made during a special press conference held at the Chase Center, attended by Warriors CEO Joe Lacob, GM Mike Dunleavy Jr., and Nelson himself.

> “We’re thrilled to welcome Don back to the Warriors family in this exciting new capacity,” said Lacob. “Don has always been a visionary in basketball, and his influence helped shape not only our team, but the league itself. His return as a co-owner signifies a new chapter—one that honors our history while looking ahead to a bold future.”

Don Nelson, affectionately known to fans as “Nellie,” coached the Warriors across two separate stints (1988–1995 and 2006–2010), earning a reputation for his unorthodox, high-tempo style and willingness to experiment. He is still remembered for orchestrating the famous “We Believe” playoff run in 2007, when the eighth-seeded Warriors upset the top-seeded Dallas Mavericks in one of the greatest postseason upsets in NBA history.

At age 85, Nelson remains the winningest coach in NBA history with 1,335 regular-season victories. Though he’s spent much of his retirement life in Hawaii growing marijuana and playing poker, Nelson’s reentry into the NBA through ownership is an unexpected yet widely celebrated move.

> “I’ve always loved this team, and I never stopped believing in what we built here,” said Nelson, wearing a Hawaiian shirt under a Warriors blazer. “I’m not here to coach anymore, but I am here to contribute—to the culture, to the community, and to building the next generation of champions.”

The specifics of Nelson’s ownership stake have not been disclosed, but insiders suggest he was invited by Lacob and Peter Guber as part of a broader effort to reconnect the franchise with its roots while continuing its forward-thinking strategy in the post-Curry era.

A New Era Amid Change

Nelson’s return comes at a transitional time for Golden State. With Stephen Curry nearing the twilight of his career and Klay Thompson having departed earlier this offseason, the Warriors are reshaping their roster around younger talent and newly acquired veteran leadership. The addition of Nelson in an executive ownership role could bolster the franchise’s cultural continuity and basketball identity during this evolution.

Fans, players, and NBA analysts have reacted with enthusiasm across social media, with many viewing the move as a respectful nod to the Warriors’ past while simultaneously invigorating hopes for the future.

> “This is a smart, legacy-driven move,” said ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. “Nelson brings not just experience but a deep emotional connection to the franchise. He won’t be making personnel decisions, but his presence is symbolic and potentially influential.”

As the Warriors prepare for the upcoming 2025–26 NBA season, Don Nelson’s surprise return stands as a reminder that in basketball—just like in life—some legends never truly leave. They simply find new ways to lead.