Kristaps Porzingis has stepped away from professional basketball, his career cut short by ongoing health issues. The 31-year-old Latvian big man, who finalized a two-year, $40 million contract extension with the Golden State Warriors just last summer, will not return to the court. Porzingis made the announcement in a statement, explaining that his body could not withstand the physical demands required to compete at the NBA level.
“This season I was really looking forward to running it with this group, but as I ramped up, my body didn’t respond the way I anticipated,” Porzingis said in his statement. “I’m doing good, but I know what it takes and I’m not where I want to be to perform at the level that I expect from myself. At this point, I’ve made the decision to prioritize my health and step away from the game I love.”
Warriors Cease Salary Payments Amid Contract Standoff
Kristaps Porzingis’s decision to step away from basketball has triggered a contractual fallout with the Golden State Warriors. According to reporting from ESPN’s Shams Charania, the franchise has ceased delivering the semimonthly payments on his $20 million salary for the 2026-27 season. The report indicates Porzingis is not actively disputing the lack of payments, and the NBA Players’ Association has no plans to intervene on his behalf.
Since Porzingis stepped away from the team one day before training camp began in October and his status changed from “injured” to “not with the team,” the organization is no longer obligated to pay a player who is not rendering services. The decision highlights the finality of the situation, leaving Porzingis’s future contract status, which includes a $20 million player option for the 2027-28 season, in limbo.
Health is everything but we’ll miss you, Porzingis. The original unicorn. pic.twitter.com/JJeGprGdyu
Green Adjusts to Porzingis Absence
While Porzingis was expected to be a key piece for a title push, the team has adjusted to his absence and is moving forward. Draymond Green, now playing center in Porzingis’s stead, was blunt about the team’s mindset.
“No creo que nadie aquí esté esperando a que él entre por esa puerta… No puedes quedarte preocupado por la leche derramada,” Green told The Athletic. “Nadie está aquí criticándolo ni siquiera preocupado por él. Nosotros ya seguimos adelante con los jugadores que tenemos.” Green added that the news of Porzingis’s situation, delivered by general manager Mike Dunleavy on the morning of the season opener, initially “nos sacudió un poco,” but the team has since found a way to win, posting a 6-3 record after a 0-3 start.
Kristaps Porzingis has announced he is stepping away from basketball Porzingis says he's not where he wants to be physically to perform at his expected level and is prioritizing his health pic.twitter.com/6UXECrNu4l
The transition has forced the Warriors to rely on other players. Charles Bassey scored a career-high 19 points in a recent victory, and rookie Graham Ike has seen increased playing time. “Es una oportunidad para Charles Bassey. Es una oportunidad para que Graham Ike juegue más minutos y siga intentando dar un salto en su carrera,” he stated.
Porzingis Battles Recurring POTS Symptoms
Porzingis’s decision to walk away is rooted in a long and difficult battle with his health. The player has been dealing with recurring symptoms tied to Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), a condition that can cause dizziness, fatigue, and an abnormally rapid heartbeat upon standing. He has not played a single game for the Warriors this season.
In an October 14 post on X, Porzingis addressed rampant speculation and online rumors, including false claims that he had contracted HIV or AIDS. “Hello people, I’m working with doctors and experts to figure out how to be fully back to good health asap. Honestly, I’m getting better and better,” he wrote. “I just have to stay patient, and I believe I’ll be feeling great again soon.” His latest statement, however, suggests his focus has shifted to a permanent step back from the sport to manage his health long-term.
The health problems have defined the latter part of his career. Over the last two seasons, Porzingis has appeared in just 74 total games. His tenure with the Warriors was particularly brief, consisting of only 15 games after being acquired in a February trade that sent Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield to Atlanta.
As @JakeLFischer reported earlier this week, Kristaps Porziņģis remains immediately eligible to be traded and all signs point to Golden State ultimately finding a deal between now and the Feb. 11 trade deadline. Full coverage: https://t.co/yb0Ku1Bic2 pic.twitter.com/PVZh07bczB
A Career Defined by Injuries and “Unicorn” Talent
Prior to this latest setback, Porzingis’s career was a story of immense talent and persistent injury. Selected fourth overall in the 2015 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks, he was immediately hailed as a generational talent. His unique skill set—a 2,18 meters height with the ability to shoot threes, handle the ball, and protect the rim—earned him the nickname “the Unicorn,” a term famously coined by Kevin Durant in 2016.
His impact was immediate. He was named to the All-Rookie First Team in 2016 and became an All-Star in 2018. However, injuries began to derail his momentum with the Knicks. This led to a trade to the Dallas Mavericks, followed by stints with the Washington Wizards and Boston Celtics. It was with the Celtics that Porzingis achieved the pinnacle of his career, winning an NBA championship in 2024. In total, he played 533 NBA games, averaging 19.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks.
Draymond Green on Kristaps Porzingis’ health problems: "In our minds, we’ve moved forward with the players that we have here. You can’t sit and worry about spoiled milk.” (via @sam_amick)”
What’s Next for Porzingis and the Warriors
The immediate future remains uncertain. The Warriors still reportedly hope to trade Porzingis’s contract, seeking a team that would take it on and potentially waive him to save on salary. However, finding a taker for a $20 million contract for a player who has publicly stepped away from the game is a significant challenge. The NBA trade deadline is on February 11, 2027, which presents a hard deadline for any potential move.
For Porzingis, the path forward is one of prioritizing his well-being. In his statement, he pledged to work with the Warriors to find a “solution that makes sense” and expressed gratitude for the support he has received. His career, marked by original ideas and constant struggle with his body, has concluded with his health as the ultimate determining factor.
“En esta situación, quiero mostrar el máximo respeto hacia los Golden State Warriors y trabajar con ellos para encontrar una solución que tenga sentido. Estoy agradecido a mi familia y a mis seres queridos por estar siempre ahí. Muchas gracias también a todos vosotros por vuestro apoyo. Siempre hacia adelante y hacia arriba.”
Kristaps Porzingis, in his statement
