The Golden State Warriors have begun exploring trade options for center Kristaps Porzingis, according to ESPN. The move comes as Porzingis remains out indefinitely because of a private health issue and is seriously weighing his future in basketball, per the report.
Porzingis, 31, signed a two-year, $40 million extension with Golden State in June. The second season pays $20 million but only $3 million is guaranteed, according to ESPN, effectively making it an expiring contract. The Warriors built in no raise between seasons to keep Porzingis immediately trade-eligible rather than waiting until mid-December.
What Was Reported
ESPN’s report details a situation that has been building since before training camp opened. Porzingis called general manager Mike Dunleavy the Sunday before camp began and told him he was taking an indefinite leave of absence, according to ESPN. He went on to miss the first two weeks of camp and all of the preseason.
Last Tuesday, Porzingis drove from Los Angeles to San Francisco to meet with Dunleavy and Rick Celebrini, the franchise’s lead medical decision-maker, according to ESPN. The Warriors said afterward they would keep details of that meeting private but expected Porzingis to remain around the team. That expectation did not hold.
Porzingis has not returned to the team’s facility and began another indefinite leave, staying in contact only with Dunleavy and Celebrini, according to ESPN. Golden State listed him as out for its season opener against the Los Angeles Lakers, citing “not with team” rather than an illness designation.
Porzingis has dealt with lingering effects since contracting an upper respiratory virus while playing for the Boston Celtics two seasons ago, according to ESPN. He has since been diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, known as POTS, a condition that can cause dizziness, fatigue and brain fog. The issue has bothered him for nearly two years, per the report.
“It has definitely been frustrating dealing with some health stuff that you can’t exactly pinpoint, on top of injuries throughout my career,” Porzingis said, according to ESPN. “So it has added up for sure, but we will get through it.”
Team sources told ESPN that Porzingis was on the court at Golden State’s facility in the week before camp and attended a player-led event by Jimmy Butler in late September, but those same sources described him as detached and uninterested in scrimmages and strenuous work.
What The Warriors Have Said
The Warriors have not commented on the specifics of a potential trade. A team statement, cited by Bleacher Report, said the organization is “not going to comment on trade speculation or reports regarding his health-related matter or future.” That statement leaves open whether Porzingis is considering retirement or simply a departure from Golden State, a detail the reporting does not address.
Why It Would Matter For The Warriors
If a trade materializes, it would unwind a deal the front office made with optimism just months ago. Golden State acquired Porzingis from the Atlanta Hawks at last season’s trade deadline, and he played in 15 of the team’s final 20 games, averaging 16.1 points and 5.3 rebounds while shooting 31.1% from three-point range. Warriors management believed Porzingis had an encouraging enough summer to project him as the starting center next to Draymond Green and rookie Yaxel Lendeborg in the frontcourt, according to ESPN.
The Warriors also have draft assets that could sweeten a package if they move him, per Bleacher Report. A Porzingis trade would follow a summer in which Golden State prioritized financial flexibility, including an extension with Stephen Curry for less than the max.
What’s Next
No timeline has been given for Porzingis’ health situation or for any trade talks to progress, and the Warriors have declined to discuss either publicly. Golden State opened its season against the Lakers with Porzingis unavailable and listed as “not with team.”
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