With aging veterans and precious little draft capital, the Warriors did what any franchise teetering towards the drop would do during the offseason: they ran things back.
Steve Kerr returned to the sideline after signing a two-year extension while Bob Myers gave the Stephen Curry-Draymond Green tandem one last chance to prove it could compete in the West.
To that end, Golden State also locked up trade deadline acquisition Kristaps Porzingis on a short-term deal. Porzingis played sparingly after dealing with a mysterious illness. His health problems have extended into the new season, prompting him to provide fans with a much-needed update on his status.
With that, here’s the latest on Porzingis’ health, from the man himself.
MORE: Knicks champion names Taylor Swift ‘fakest’ celebrity fan
Kristaps Porzingis provides career update amid ongoing illness
Porzingis offered an update on his ongoing struggles with the mysterious illness that has plagued him since 2025. The malady forced him to miss time during stints with the Celtics, Hawks and Warriors.
Porzingis took to social media to update fans on his status, announcing that he would be stepping away from basketball for the immediate future as he attempts to recover from his health issues.
“I’m doing good, but I know what it takes, and I’m not where I want to be to perform at the level I expect for myself,” Porzingis wrote. “At this point, I’ve made the decision to prioritize my health and step away from the game I love.”
🙏🏼 https://t.co/d0UoELOmye
— Kristaps Porzingis (@kporzee) November 6, 2026
The 31-year-old re-signed with Golden State on a one-year, $20 million deal with a $20 million player option for 2027-28 this past summer. He hasn’t yet received any of his salary. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the Warriors are withholding paychecks from Porzingis because he is “not rendering services.”
The Warriors are not delivering payments to Kristaps Porzingis on his $20 million salary, ruling that he is not rendering services, sources tell me and @anthonyVslater. Golden State is permitted to move his contract at any point before the Feb. 11 deadline even without paying him currently, and will continue exhausting trade avenues as the 31-year-old leans toward ending his NBA career. Absorbing Porzingis’ near-expiring deal would allow a rival team to move a salary out and save money and clear a roster spot via a buyout.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 4, 2026
Porzingis didn’t dispute Golden State’s decision, per Charania. In fact, he expressed a desire to “show the utmost respect” for his employers and “work with them to find a solution that makes sense.”
Importantly, Porzingis didn’t close the door on making a return to the NBA. However, barring something unforeseen, don’t expect to see the lanky Latvian on the floor any time soon.
MORE NBA:
