Kristaps Porziņģis's future on the court is slipping away. According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Latvian is leaning toward retirement due to postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), a condition that has prevented him from playing since his time with the Boston Celtics. The Golden State Warriors, who don't expect to have him back, have stopped paying his $20 million salary this season, considering he is not providing service to the team.
From Extension to Uncertainty
The situation contrasts sharply with what happened just four months ago. The Warriors had traded him in February from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Buddy Hield and Jonathan Kuminga, and at the end of June they extended him for two years and $40 million. But Porziņģis didn't show up to media day, training camp, or the preseason, and by October Charania reported that he was "seriously considering" his future in basketball.
Since then, the Warriors have been exploring the market. His contract functions practically as one expiring this year, because only $3 million is guaranteed for next season. Golden State can trade him until the trade deadline on February 11, even though they're not paying him, and a team that absorbs him could save money and free up a roster spot with a buyout.
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A Career That Started in Seville
For Spanish basketball fans, Porziņģis is a familiar name. He arrived at age 15 to the Baloncesto Sevilla academy and in the first team became one of Europe's biggest prospects, earning two selections to the ACB All-Rookie Team and winning the EuroCup Emerging Star award in 2015. That same summer, the New York Knicks selected him with the 4th pick in the Draft.
In the NBA, he has played for the Knicks, Mavericks, Wizards, Celtics, Hawks, and Warriors. He was an All-Star in 2018 and won a championship with Boston in 2024. His last year, however, has been marked by health issues: he played 17 games with the Hawks and 15 with the Warriors, averaging around 16 points with both teams.
Another Blow for the Warriors
The news comes at a time of injuries for Golden State, which also doesn't have Jimmy Butler or Moses Moody. The three of them account for nearly $90 million in salaries not on the court. Steve Kerr's team has compensated for those absences with the strong start of rookie Yaxel Lendeborg and the return of Stephen Curry, and they're on a five-game winning streak.