Golden State Warriors Stop Paying Kristaps Porzingis's Salary
The NBA's Golden State Warriors have stopped paying Latvian basketball player Kristaps Porzingis, ruling that he is not fulfilling his contract. The club is seeking a trade, and ESPN reports the 31-year-old has most likely played his last NBA game.
The Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association (NBA), North America's top basketball league, have stopped paying the salary of Latvian center Kristaps Porzingis. The club considers that he is not rendering the services his contract requires, as he has not joined the team. ESPN reporter Shams Charania broke the news. Porzingis is due $20 million under this deal.
How the situation arose
In the offseason, Porzingis agreed to a two-year, $40 million contract with the Warriors. The first season is fully guaranteed, while only $3 million is guaranteed in the second. A day before training camp opened, he told the club's management that he would not join the team because of health issues. At first he was expected back, but plans changed over time. Reports said his symptoms of POTS, a condition affecting circulation and heart rate, had worsened, and after meeting club officials the Latvian offered an explanation on social media. He had earlier visited an orthodontist in Spain and has not been seen around the Warriors since.
It had been speculated that the club could treat this as a breach of contract and void the agreement. The club does not currently view that as a likely option, but it has the right to withhold pay. It has happened in the league before: a couple of years ago, the Philadelphia 76ers withheld the salary of Ben Simmons.
Looking for a trade partner
The Warriors are seeking ways to move the contract by trading it. It can be traded at any time before the February 11 deadline next year, and until then the club may also withhold the salary. Charania writes that Porzingis is leaning toward ending his NBA career.
Another team could find the contract useful because it is close to expiring. Acquiring it could let a club shed an unwanted salary, save money and, by agreeing a buyout with the player, free up a roster spot.
Career
Porzingis has played for the New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks, Washington Wizards, Boston Celtics and Atlanta Hawks. In 2024 he won the NBA title with Boston. He has played for Latvia at two European Championships, in 2017 and in 2025, the latter held in Riga. Whether he will play basketball again is currently unknown.
