Warriors Exploring Options to Trade Kristaps Porzingis

It has definitely been frustrating dealing with some health stuff that you can’t exactly pinpoint, on top of injuries throughout my career, so it has added up for sure, but we will get through it, Kristaps Porzingis wrote in an X post last week.

According to an ESPN report, the Golden State Warriors have begun exploring trade possibilities for experienced center Kristaps Porzingis, who remains without a timeline for his return while managing an undisclosed medical condition and giving serious thought to his basketball future.

Golden State Structures Extension for Immediate Trade Eligibility

Porzingis signed a two-year, $40 million extension with Golden State in June, but only $3 million of the $20 million in the second season is guaranteed. This financial structure essentially makes the deal an expiring contract for any potential acquiring team.

Porzingis appeared in 15 of the team’s final 20 games last season. Warriors management believed he had an encouraging enough summer to pencil him in as the projected starting center alongside Draymond Green and rookie Yaxel Lendeborg in the frontcourt.

POTS Diagnosis and Detached Training Camp Stint Precede Indefinite Leave

During the seven-day stretch preceding the start of training camp, Porzingis was present at the franchise’s San Francisco facility, where he spent time on the hardwood. He also attended Jimmy Butler’s player-led event in San Diego in late September. However, team sources described him as detached, indifferent, and uninterested in participating in scrimmages and strenuous on-court prep work during the San Diego gathering.

On the Sunday before training camp, Porzingis called Dunleavy to report that he was still dealing with the lingering impact of an upper respiratory virus contracted two seasons ago while playing for the Boston Celtics. Porzingis has termed the condition postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, known as POTS, which can cause dizziness, fatigue, and brain fog. He told management he was taking an indefinite leave of absence.

Having sat out the initial fortnight of training camp alongside the entirety of the preseason, Porzingis made the drive from Los Angeles to San Francisco on October 14, 2026, for a meeting with Dunleavy and Rick Celebrini, the franchise’s lead medical decision-maker. While the team announced they would keep details of the meeting private, they initially expressed an expectation that he would remain around the team. Instead, Porzingis did not return to the facility and began another indefinite leave, maintaining contact primarily with Dunleavy and Celebrini. The Warriors listed him as out for their season opener against the Los Angeles Lakers on October 21, 2026, citing the reason as not with team rather than an illness.

Uncertain Market Looms as Retirement Remains a Possibility

If Porzingis experiences no breakthrough with his recovery, stepping away from basketball permanently is a possibility, according to sources cited by Shams Charania. It remains unclear what kind of trade market exists for his contract at the start of the regular season. Most front offices prefer to evaluate their current rosters before attempting major shake-ups, though draft assets can still attract interest even without a guarantee that Porzingis will return to the court.

Golden State retains a nearly full inventory of first-round draft picks alongside several expiring contracts. Dunleavy has stated publicly that the team’s roster build allows for an in-season trade strike if the right deal materializes.

It has definitely been frustrating dealing with some health stuff that you can’t exactly pinpoint, on top of injuries throughout my career, so it has added up for sure, but we will get through it. Kristaps Porzingis