The Golden State Warriors said Wednesday, Oct. 21, that they do not expect center Kristaps Porziņģis to be around the team in the immediate future. The statement came hours after ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Porziņģis is seriously contemplating his future in the NBA amid lingering symptoms from postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). Charania also reported that the Warriors are exploring trade options for him.
The team did not confirm the diagnosis. The Warriors said they are not going to comment on trade speculation or reports regarding his health-related matter or future, and that conversations with Porziņģis and his representatives will stay private.
The statement walks back what the team said on Oct. 14. That day, the Warriors said Porziņģis had come to Chase Center on Oct. 13 for meetings with general manager Mike Dunleavy and Vice President of Player Health and Performance Dr. Rick Celebrini, and that he would spend time with staff and teammates in some capacity while still out indefinitely. Porziņģis also posted an update on social media on Oct. 14 saying he was getting better and better.
Before Wednesday’s season opener against the Lakers, coach Steve Kerr gave no details on what had changed. He said, “I don’t really have anything to add on this.”
Porziņģis was diagnosed with POTS in 2025. He didn’t travel with the team to Hawaii for training camp. In March 2026, when he missed time with an illness, Kerr called the issue “mysterious.”
Golden State acquired the 31-year-old at the February 2026 trade deadline. He came from Atlanta in a swap that sent Buddy Hield and Jonathan Kuminga to the Hawks. He played 32 games in 2025-26 between the two teams, and only 15 of them came with the Warriors.
He re-signed with Golden State in June on a two-year, $40 million deal. Only $3 million is guaranteed for next season, according to Spotrac, meaning 2027-28.
Golden State Paid Twice for a Health Risk It Already Knew About
The Warriors have now committed to Porziņģis twice with his condition on record. First they traded Kuminga and Hield for him. Then, after he played 15 games for them, they re-signed him for $20 million a season.
Golden State bet that a diagnosis from 2025 could be managed. Wednesday’s reversal, and the trade talks Charania reported, show the team no longer treats it as a short-term absence.
The contract’s structure is the one piece of protection Golden State built in. With almost nothing guaranteed beyond 2026-27, Porziņģis’s deal works more like matching salary than a long-term obligation. That leaves the Warriors a way out even if he never returns to form.
Porziņģis’s Decision Comes Before Any Trade
The question that matters most now is whether Porziņģis keeps playing. His answer will shape any trade talks. The Warriors gave no timeline. They said they will provide updates when available and appropriate.
Source: Shams Charania of ESPN
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