Kristaps Porzingis’ future is suddenly looking murky on two fronts: a potential trade and the possibility that his playing career could be heading toward an early ending.
The former Celtics big man, who helped Boston win the 2024 Larry O’Brien Trophy, is now at the center of fresh uncertainty after an ESPN report on Wednesday said the Warriors are “exploring trade routes” for him. That comes with Porzingis still out indefinitely while he deals with a health issue that has followed him since his time in Boston.
Porzingis was a major piece of the Celtics’ title run, averaging 20.1 points and 7.2 rebounds during the regular season as Joe Mazzulla leaned on him as a stretch-five in the starting lineup. Boston’s 2023-24 defense, meanwhile, is something that may have looked very different without him.
The health problems, though, have remained the bigger story. Porzingis has played just 32 games last season between Atlanta and Golden State after appearing in 42 games for Boston in 2024-25, and ESPN reported that he has been dealing with a private issue that began after he contracted an “upper respiratory virus” while with the Celtics in 2024.
According to ESPN, Porzingis has described the problem as a POTS diagnosis - postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome - and it has affected his energy, fatigue and more. Before Golden State’s training camp, he told the team he was still feeling the lingering effects and would be taking an indefinite leave of absence. At prior team events, he was described as “indifferent and uninterested in participating in scrimmages and strenuous on-court prep work.”
Golden State signed Porzingis to a two-year, $40 million extension in the offseason after acquiring him by trade last season, but only $3 million of the $20 million second-year salary is guaranteed, per ESPN. The deal was reportedly built to preserve trade flexibility.
Charania reported that the Warriors were “encouraged” by Porzingis appearing in 15 games last season, but his status has shifted again with the season underway and his absence continuing. He is on what amounts to a trade-friendly contract for $20 million this season and a small partial guarantee next year, making him a movable piece if a team wants to take the risk.
The broader question is whether Porzingis will even keep playing. Charania reported that he has been considering his “future in basketball,” and that if his recovery doesn’t improve, “stepping away from basketball -- for good -- is possible.”
Porzingis addressed the situation himself in an X post last week, writing: “It has definitely been frustrating dealing with some health stuff that you can't exactly pinpoint, on top of injuries throughout my career. So it has added up for sure, but we will get through it.”
He followed that up with another message saying he is working with doctors and experts, believes he is getting better, and is trying to stay patient.
He has not been around the Warriors to open the season despite an expectation that he would be, per Charania.
Porzingis is still only 31, but it is unclear whether another team will want to trade for him or whether he will remain in the NBA at all. The Celtics do not appear to be a likely landing spot if he is moved, since they already added Mitchell Robinson to their center group this past offseason.
For Boston supporters, though, the 2024 championship version of Porzingis is the one that will stick.
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