Boston Celtics
Health issues have the 31-year-old center considering retirement, according to ESPN.
Kristaps Porzingis AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez
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Warriors center Kristaps Porzingis is taking a serious look at his basketball future as he continues to manage lingering health issues.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Warriors are looking at trade options as Porzingis considers his circumstances.
“Sources tell me the Warriors are actively discussing trade routes for Porzingis as he, from my understanding is seriously contemplating stepping away from basketball for good as his health continues to be a topic right now,” Charania said. “He continues to deal with recurring symptoms of an autoimmune disease known as P.O.T.S.
“He has not been feeling good, especially recently from my understanding and if there is no breakthrough the Warriors are braced for him potentially having to leave the game of basketball at 31 years old. They’re bracing for scenarios, whether that’s a trade, whether that’s a potential buyout as well.”
Porzingis signed a two-year, $40 million contract extension with the Warriors over the summer. Only $3 million of next year’s salary is guaranteed, Charania reports. With so little money guaranteed, his contract is “basically like” an expiring deal, the ESPN insider said.
Golden State is Porzingis’s third team since the end of the 2025 season. The Celtics traded to him to Atlanta, and Atlanta traded him to Golden State.
Reporting for NBA Today on Kristaps Porzingis seriously contemplating stepping away from basketball — for good — as the Warriors explore trades using his nearly expiring contract: pic.twitter.com/YK5bGwwDma
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 21, 2026
According to Charania, there’s a chance Porzingis could be on the move again. Porzingis has missed at least 35 games per year over the last three seasons. He missed 50 games last year, with the bulk of his appearances coming at the end of the season.
Porzingis has been productive when healthy, averaging 16.7 points 5.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks last season while shooting 33.8 percent from 3-point range.
Porzingis was drafted by the Knicks in 2016 and also had stints with the Mavericks and Wizards before the Celtics acquired him via trade. Porzingis spent two seasons with the Celtics and was a member of the 2024 championship team.
The Warriors have several options to explore, Charania said.
“They can incentivize teams with draft picks, they’ve got a pool of assets as well. They could take on money in a deal for a big name player,” Charania said. “But, right now they’ve got $90 million sidelined between Kristaps Porzingis, Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody and this Kristaps Porzingis situation we’ll see play out in the coming weeks.”
Khari A. Thompson
Khari Thompson covers professional sports for Boston.com. Before joining the team in 2022, Khari covered college football for The Clarion Ledger in Jackson, Miss.
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