Warriors Withhold Pay From Porziņģis While He Is Not Playing
The Golden State Warriors of the NBA have decided not to pay Latvian basketball player Kristaps Porziņģis for now, saying he is not providing the services required by his contract because of health problems. ESPN's Shams Charania reports the 31-year-old is leaning toward ending his NBA career.
The Golden State Warriors, a club in the National Basketball Association (NBA), North America's top professional basketball league, have decided to withhold salary from Latvian player Kristaps Porziņģis. The club justifies the move by saying he is not providing the services specified in his contract. Porziņģis has a valid two-year deal with the team.
Contract and health problems
At the end of June, Porziņģis extended his agreement with the Warriors for two seasons, in a deal worth a total of $40 million. Because of health problems, he did not take part in training camp or in any exhibition games. He is also not with the team at the start of the regular season.
Efforts to trade him
Golden State continues to look for ways to trade Porziņģis to another team. Withholding his pay does not affect that process.
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the US sports media outlet, the player's salary is $20 million. He says the club may move Porziņģis's contract at any point before the Feb. 11 deadline, even without paying him now. Charania writes that the 31-year-old is leaning toward ending his NBA career.
The reporter also notes that a rival team absorbing the near-expiring contract could send out another player's salary and save money. Through a buyout, it could also clear a roster spot.
