Kristaps Porzingis is officially stepping away from basketball for the immediate future, a wild turn that comes with a bombshell report: the Golden State Warriors are actually withholding his $20 million salary! Talk about a gut punch to start the season, right? The 31-year-old big man has been battling a mysterious illness since 2025, and now he’s making his health the absolute priority.
Porzingis Hits Pause Amid Persistent Health Woes
This mysterious illness has been hounding Porzingis for a while now, forcing him to miss serious time during his stints with the Celtics, Hawks, and even the Warriors. He took to social media to give fans the update everyone needed, announcing he’d be stepping away to recover. “I’m doing good, but I know what it takes, and I’m not where I want to be to perform at the level I expect for myself,” Porzingis wrote. He continued, “At this point, I’ve made the decision to prioritize my health and step away from the game I love.” You gotta respect a player who knows his body and puts his long-term health first, even if it’s tough to hear as a fan.
The Warriors’ Bold Financial Move
Here’s where it gets even crazier. Porzingis re-signed with Golden State this past summer on a one-year, $20 million deal, with a player option for 2027-28. But get this: he hasn’t received a dime of that salary. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the Warriors are withholding his paychecks, stating he’s “not rendering services.” Ouch. That’s a cold business decision, but it highlights the brutal reality of professional sports.
Charania’s report also dropped the news that the Warriors can actually move his contract before the Feb. 11 deadline, even without paying him right now. They’re still looking at trade avenues, especially since Porzingis is reportedly leaning towards ending his NBA career. The silver lining for Golden State, if there is one? Moving Porzingis’s near-expiring deal could help a rival team clear salary and a roster spot through a buyout. Interestingly, Porzingis didn’t dispute Golden State’s decision. In fact, Charania noted he wants to “show the utmost respect” for his employers and “work with them to find a solution that makes sense.”
This whole situation is a messy one, and while Porzingis isn’t slamming the door shut on a comeback, don’t expect to see the lanky Latvian hitting the court any time soon. It’s a huge question mark for his career and a serious hit for a Warriors team that ran things back with their aging veterans, hoping Porzingis would be a key piece after picking him up at the trade deadline. What a wild start to the season for Golden State.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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