SAN FRANCISCO — Golden State Warriors center Kristaps Porziņģis announced Friday that he is stepping away from the NBA to prioritize his health, putting his professional career on hold indefinitely.
The 31-year-old big man shared his decision in a post on his X social media account, explaining that although his daily health is stable, his physical condition could not handle the rigors of high-level competition.
“This season I was really looking forward to running it with this group,” Porziņģis wrote, “but as I ramped up, my body didn’t respond the way I anticipated. 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.”
Porziņģis did not use the word retirement in his message, nor did he provide specific medical details in the statement. He remains under contract with the Warriors, who signed him to a two-year, $40 million agreement in late June.
A Persistent Battle With Health
Health problems have shadowed Porziņģis throughout his 11-year NBA career. After helping the Boston Celtics secure the 2024 NBA championship, he was sidelined the following season by what was initially an undisclosed illness, according to Sports Illustrated. He later revealed he had been diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, a condition that causes heart rates to spike when a person stands up, the outlet reported.
The Atlanta Hawks sent Porziņģis to Golden State at last season’s trade deadline in exchange for forward Jonathan Kuminga. Porziņģis appeared in 15 games for the Warriors down the stretch. The front office believed he would be ready to contribute this season alongside Stephen Curry, but his status deteriorated quickly ahead of the new campaign.
In late September, the Warriors revealed that Porziņģis would miss training camp in Hawaii because of an ongoing health condition. On Oct. 14, following consultations with General Manager Mike Dunleavy and Dr. Rick Celebrini, the vice president of player health and performance, Golden State announced he would interact with teammates in a limited role. Just a week later, the team shifted course, confirming he would remain away from the roster for the foreseeable future.
Reporting by ESPN earlier this week revealed that the Warriors had paused salary payments to Porziņģis because he was unable to fulfill his playing duties, Sports Illustrated noted.
Roster Impact and Future Options
Despite the absence of Porziņģis, Golden State has opened the season with a 6-3 record, aided by strong early contributions from rookie forward Yaxel Lendeborg. However, managing the financial ledger presents significant challenges for team executives.
Golden State is sitting roughly $350,000 below the restrictive second tax apron. Large payroll figures remain committed to inactive players, including Porziņģis’ $20 million salary and Jimmy Butler’s $56.8 million figure while Butler recovers from a torn ACL, Sports Illustrated reported.
Only $3 million of Porziņģis’ $20 million salary for next season is guaranteed, effectively turning the pact into a near-expiring contract. League insider Anthony Slater reported that the Warriors do not plan to void the contract. Instead, Golden State could explore multiple pathways:
- Pursuing a trade after Dec. 15, when newly signed free agents become eligible to be moved, offering cap relief to another franchise.
- Negotiating a buyout agreement to trim his cap number and grant him his release.
- Leaving the contract untouched on the books until the conclusion of the current season.
Porziņģis expressed gratitude toward the Warriors in his statement, adding that he intends to work closely with the organization on an amicable outcome as he shifts his focus entirely toward his well-being.
