Nelson's future uncertain

OAKLAND, Calif. — Coach Don Nelson isn't sure he'll return to guide the Golden State Warriors through the next stage of their resurgence.

And without their beloved Nellie, even the Warriors aren't certain they could duplicate the tantalizing promise they showed late in a memorable season.

Nelson plans to decide by July 1 whether he'll be back for another year with the Warriors, whose surprising playoff run ended Tuesday night with a second-round loss to the Utah Jazz. The defeat capped the franchise's first winning regular season and postseason berth since 1994.

"It's not a good time for me to make that decision," Nelson said Wednesday at the Warriors' downtown training complex. "I think it was really important that I came here. I'm not so sure it's important that I stay on."

Nelson, who turned 67 on Tuesday, 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.

After snapping their 13-year playoff drought on the final day of the regular season, the eighth-seeded Warriors shocked the Dallas Mavericks in the first round, beating the NBA's best regular-season team — and Nelson's former employer — in six games. Utah beat the Warriors in five games, though all four losses were close.

Although Nelson signed a three-year contract to replace Mike Montgomery last August, he wants time to talk over his future with his wife, Joy, before committing to another year of the NBA grind, which gave him sleepless nights and added 15 pounds to his already ample figure. Nelson plans to relax on the beach at his home in Maui until his head is clear.

Golden State fans probably shouldn't worry too much, however. Nelson also said he plans to keep his entire coaching staff intact, and he spoke optimistically of the Warriors' potential for improvement with a full healthy season for the roster that finished the regular season 16-5 before flattening the Mavs.

Nelson plans to add his opinions to top executive Chris Mullin's ideas for the draft next month, and he'll decide his future around that time as well.

"I'm kind of anticipating coming back, but I'm just not totally sure," Nelson said. "Whether I want to put my body through another year or two would be the main issue. I'm not 66 anymore. There's another life out there outside of basketball that's very enjoyable, especially when you have the means that I have at this particular time in my life."