Kristaps Porziņģis, the Golden State Warriors’ big man, announced on Friday that he has decided to step away from basketball to focus on his health amid ongoing mysterious medical issues. At 31 years old, it remains uncertain when or if he will return to play. Porziņģis has not participated in any Warriors games this season, with recent reports stating the team is withholding his payments. He signed a two-year, $40 million contract this summer, but only $3 million of the second year’s deal is guaranteed.
In his statement, Porziņģis expressed his initial excitement for the season but admitted his body did not respond as expected during training. He emphasized the importance of prioritizing his health and showed respect towards the Warriors organization, pledging to work collaboratively towards a solution. He also thanked his family and supporters for their ongoing encouragement.
Throughout his career, Porziņģis has struggled with health setbacks, playing over 57 games in just three seasons since being drafted 4th overall by the New York Knicks in 2015. His injuries have included a torn ACL that sidelined him for the entire 2018-19 season. More recently, he has battled an enigmatic illness starting in Boston during the 2024-25 season, characterized by extreme fatigue and a diagnosis of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), which causes rapid heart rate changes and symptoms like exhaustion and dizziness.
Porziņģis has not been with the Warriors since late September and had previously addressed and denied rumors of HIV or AIDS in a statement released in mid-October. At that time, the team announced he would be out indefinitely. He shared optimism about his health improving but acknowledged the frustration of dealing with undiagnosed health issues compounding a history of injuries.
The Warriors had hoped Porziņģis would play a significant role this season as a floor-spacing big man, especially with key players Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody sidelined due to serious injuries. However, it now appears unlikely he will ever suit up for the Warriors again.
The team has reportedly been seeking to trade Porziņģis to free up salary cap space, as his $20 million contract for this season could attract teams looking for an expiring deal, given just $3 million is guaranteed for next year. CBS Sports analyst Sam Quinn explained that while Porziņģis has no trade value as a player due to his health, his contract could be useful in salary-matching trades alongside draft picks.
Despite Porziņģis’ absence, the Warriors are off to a strong 6-3 start, sitting seventh in the highly competitive Western Conference. Rookie big man Yaxel Lendeborg has stepped up admirably, averaging 21 points, 7.1 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.1 steals per game, shooting nearly 50% from the field and nearly 40% from three-point range through nine games.
Fan Take: Porziņģis stepping away is a sobering reminder of how health challenges can abruptly alter a player’s career, highlighting the physical toll professional basketball can take. For fans, this moment underscores the importance of player well-being and opens a window for emerging talents like Lendeborg to shine, potentially reshaping team dynamics and the future of the Warriors.
Source: www.cbssports.com
