Warriors Exploring Trades For Kristaps Porzingis Amid Health Issues

The 31-year-old center has played 533 games over his 10-year career. The Golden State Warriors are actively pursuing trade options for center Kristaps Porziņģis, who remains sidelined indefinitely while managing a recurring health condition. As the team opens its 2026-27 season, he is reportedly contemplating his future in professional basketball.

Warriors Pursue Trades For Porziņģis

In the wake of a challenging offseason, the Warriors have begun exploring trade routes for Porziņģis. Porziņģis signed a two-year, $40 million extension last summer, but the deal includes only $3 million in guaranteed money for the 2027-28 season.

This structure effectively functions as an expiring contract. Over his 10-year career, Porziņģis has played 533 games.

Last year he split time between the Atlanta Hawks and Golden State, appearing in a total of 32 games while averaging 16.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game.

Originally acquired from Atlanta for Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield just before the February trade deadline, Porziņģis played in only 17 games for the Warriors last season, averaging 16.1 points and 5.3 rebounds a contest.

Warriors management believed he had an encouraging enough summer. They planned to pencil him in as the projected starting center next to Draymond Green and rookie Yaxel Lendeborg in the frontcourt before his health issues flared up again.

Porziņģis Fights POTS And Misses Camp

Porziņģis has been dealing with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), a condition that causes the heart rate to beat faster than normal when going from sitting or lying down to standing up. The illness significantly limited the 7-foot-2 center during the Boston Celtics’ 2024 playoff run and subsequent Eastern Conference semifinal series against the New York Knicks.

After attending Jimmy Butler’s player-led event in San Diego in late September, team sources described him as detached and uninterested in strenuous on-court prep work. Porziņģis missed the start of training camp.

On October 13, he returned to the team’s San Francisco facility for the first time since his absence. He met with general manager Mike Dunleavy and Dr. Rick Celebrini, the vice president of player health and performance.

Despite those discussions, he did not remain with the team.

As noted last week, conversations between the Warriors, Kristaps, and his representatives will remain private. We are not anticipating Kristaps being around the team in the immediate future. We’ll provide additional updates when available and appropriate.

Golden State Warriors, official team statement

Porziņģis Denies Online Rumors

Porziņģis took to social media on October 14 to address persistent, unfounded rumors circulating online. He confirmed he is working with medical professionals to manage his condition, explicitly stating, I appreciate all the internet doctors trying to diagnose and help, but I’m in the best hands. So everyone can relax now and I don’t have hiv or aids.

Head coach Steve Kerr addressed the uncertainty surrounding the situation, telling reporters on Monday, Other than my concern for him and his own well-being, I don’t think of it.