Golden State Warriors center Kristaps Porzingis announced Friday that he is stepping away from basketball to focus on his health after his body did not respond as hoped while preparing for the season.
Porzingis, 31, has not played this season and has spent most of the past several weeks away from the team. His announcement did not characterize the decision as a retirement.
“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,” Porzingis wrote in a statement. “At this point, I’ve made the decision to prioritize my health and step away from the game I love.”
Porzingis re-signed with Golden State on a two-year, $40 million contract in June after joining the Warriors in a February trade with the Atlanta Hawks.
His absence has created an unusual contractual situation for the Warriors.
Golden State is withholding payments on Porzingis’ $20 million salary this season, ESPN reported Wednesday. Neither Porzingis nor the players’ union plans to challenge the decision, according to the report. The Warriors reportedly do not intend to void his contract and can still use his salary in a trade before the February deadline.
Only $3 million of Porzingis’ $20 million salary for next season is guaranteed, potentially giving Golden State additional flexibility in a deal.
“In this situation, I want to show the utmost respect for the Golden State Warriors and work with them to find a solution that makes sense,” Porzingis wrote.
The 7-foot-2 veteran appeared in 32 games last season between Atlanta and Golden State, averaging 16.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.2 blocks. For his career, Porzingis has averaged 19.5 points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.8 blocks over 533 career games with the New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks, Washington Wizards, Boston Celtics, Hawks and Warriors.
A 2018 All-Star who helped the Celtics win the 2024 NBA championship, Porzingis has battled injuries and recurring health problems throughout his 11-year NBA career.
Porzingis said in 2025 that he was diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), a nervous system disorder that can affect heart rate and blood flow. It is unclear whether the condition is related to his latest health struggles.
