On Friday afternoon, Golden State Warriors center Kristaps Porziņģis announced that he has decided to step away from basketball as he continues to battle postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) that has kept him from playing this season.
Traded to the Warriors at the February deadline, Porziņģis played in 15 games last season, averaging 16.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.1 blocks in 23.7 minutes per appearance. Optimism about the 7-foot-3 center’s health cooperation led the two sides to reach a two-year, $40 million deal this summer.
Unfortunately, Porziņģis’ POTS case, which initially became an issue late in the 2024-25 season with the Celtics, flared up and prevented him from returning to the court.
On Wednesday, NBA insider Jake Fischer reported that the Warriors withheld payment of Porziņģis and considered his absence unexcused. It was also reported that the team was looking to move him via trade, either immediately or after December 15, when most players will be eligible for trades.
Porziņģis said in his statement Friday that he hoped to “work with (the Warriors) to find a solution that makes sense.”
Gn sports
