Golden State Warriors Don't Expect Porziņģis Soon, Trade Options Emerge

The Golden State Warriors, a team in the United States' National Basketball Association (NBA), have said publicly that they do not expect Latvian center Kristaps Porziņģis to be with the team in the near future. The statement followed media reports that the club is considering trading him, and that Porziņģis himself is reportedly weighing whether to step away from basketball.

Background

According to ESPN, Porziņģis told the club a day before the start of the new season's training camp that he would not join the team for medical reasons. The outlet reported that during the 2024/2025 season, while with the Boston Celtics, he developed POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome) after recovering from a virus. The condition can cause fatigue and dizziness. ESPN said symptoms had returned and that, if his health does not improve, his career could end.

The club's position

The Warriors' statement said the club would not comment on speculation about his health or future, and that discussions with him and his representatives would remain private. It added that it would share more information when necessary.

This summer Porziņģis signed a two-year contract with the Warriors. His first-season salary of $20 million is guaranteed, while the second season, which is a player option, carries only $3 million guaranteed. The club has several first-round draft picks and other expiring contracts available, and its general manager has said earlier that the team is prepared to make deals during the season.

A possible deal

Media have reported that the Warriors contacted the Milwaukee Bucks about acquiring center Myles Turner. His contract with the Wisconsin club runs through the 2028/2029 season, with an annual salary above $26 million. Such a trade is so far only one of the options being discussed.

Porziņģis has also played in the NBA for the New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks, Washington Wizards and Atlanta Hawks. In the 2023/2024 season he became an NBA champion with the Celtics. For Latvia's national team he has played at two European Championships, including the 2025 tournament in Riga.