Warriors withhold Kristaps Porziņģis' salary amid trade uncertainty

The Golden State Warriors have stopped making payments to Kristaps Porziņģis as the Latvian centre remains away from the team amid ongoing health concerns. The decision adds another complication to an increasingly uncertain situation, with the franchise also exploring potential trade options.

According to ESPN's Shams Charania and Anthony Slater, Golden State is withholding payments from Porziņģis' $20 million salary for the 2026-27 season because he is not currently providing services to the team. The 31-year-old has missed the Warriors' opening eight games after being sidelined indefinitely on October 14 due to an undisclosed health issue.

Porziņģis is reportedly contemplating his future in basketball, with retirement emerging as a possibility. NBA insider Jake Fischer has also reported that the Warriors are willing to consider a trade if the right offer becomes available. The organisation is understood to be looking for a frontcourt player on an expiring contract to strengthen its rotation while maintaining financial flexibility.

Golden State is not currently planning to void Porziņģis' contract. His $20 million salary remains on the team's books, while only $3 million of his salary for the 2027-28 season is guaranteed. That structure could make the contract useful in trade negotiations ahead of the February 11 deadline.

The situation remains uncertain, particularly as Porziņģis' current medical condition has not been publicly clarified. He previously disclosed that he had been diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), but it is not known whether that condition is connected to his latest absence.

Porziņģis joined the Warriors in February and played 15 regular-season games for the franchise last season, averaging 16.7 points and 5.2 rebounds across his time with Golden State and Atlanta. The former All-Star now faces an uncertain future as the Warriors look for a way to resolve the situation.