Golden State Warriors center Kristaps Porzingis is away from the team indefinitely and reportedly weighing whether he has a future in basketball.
Porzingis is reportedly dealing with recurring symptoms tied to Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), which can cause dizziness and fatigue.
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Kristaps Porzingis of the Golden State Warriors during the first half of an NBA play-in tournament game at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 17, 2026, in Phoenix, Ariz. (Getty Images)
Porzingis addressed speculation about his health in an Oct. 14 post on X.
“I’m working with doctors and experts to figure out how to be fully back to good health asap,” he wrote, adding that he was “getting better and better.” He also said it had been “frustrating dealing with some health stuff that you can’t exactly pinpoint,” alongside injuries throughout his career, and jokingly swatted online rumors on his health, posting, “I don’t have HIV or AIDS.”
WARRIORS STAR KRISTAPS PORZINGIS ADDRESSES ‘INTERNET DOCTORS’ AMID HEALTH ABSENCE: ‘I DON’T HAVE HIV OR AIDS’
As Porzingis considers his future, Golden State is reportedly exploring trade options. The Warriors signed him to a two-year, $40 million extension over the summer. He is owed $20 million this season, but only $3 million of his $20 million salary for next season is guaranteed.
Kristaps Porzingis of the Golden State Warriors looks on during a game against the Sacramento Kings on April 10, 2026, at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif. (NBAE)
The Warriors declined to comment on trade speculation or reports about Porzingis’ health. The team said conversations with Porzingis and his representatives would remain private and that it did not expect him to be around the team in the immediate future.
The New York Knicks selected Porzingis fourth overall in the 2015 NBA Draft. He later played for the Dallas Mavericks, Washington Wizards, Boston Celtics and Atlanta Hawks before joining Golden State.
His best season came with Boston in 2023-24, when he averaged 20.1 points and 7.2 rebounds and helped the Celtics win the NBA title. He is also a 2018 All-Star.
Kristaps Porzingis of the Golden State Warriors walks on the court during the first half of an NBA game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif., on April 12, 2026. (Getty Images)
Boston traded him to Atlanta in 2025 after he played 99 regular-season games over two seasons with the Celtics. The deal helped the team reduce payroll and avoid second-apron restrictions.
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Porzingis’ contract could appeal to a team looking to shed longer-term salary: It could acquire him in a trade, then waive him next summer before the rest of his salary becomes guaranteed, leaving it responsible for the $3 million guarantee.
His basketball future remains uncertain as he focuses on his health and the Warriors consider their options.
Send us your thoughts: [email protected] / Follow along on X: @alejandroaveela
