The Golden State Warriors have locked in Kristaps Porzingis on a two-year, $40 million extension, even with the noise around a possible LeBron James and Anthony Davis pursuit still building.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the deal includes a player option for the second season. It gives Porzingis some control after he arrived in a mid-season trade that sent Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield to the Atlanta Hawks.
For much of the past week, the expectation had been that Golden State and Porzingis would get something done before he reached free agency. That plan appeared to wobble over the last 18 hours as reports surfaced about the Warriors’ interest in a blockbuster two-star move for James and Davis.
It remains unclear what Porzingis’ extension means for those bigger swing ideas, especially after Draymond Green opted out of his $27.6 million contract before Monday’s deadline. ESPN front office insider Bobby Marks said the Warriors are now likely blocked from accessing the full non-taxpayer mid-level exception, though that still hinges on what Green agrees to on his next deal.
Marks also pointed out that the Porzingis extension likely keeps Golden State from having the $15 million non tax midlevel exception.
$27M below the first apron and does not include a new contract for Draymond Green.
You can exceed the apron to sign your own players.
Using more than… https://t.co/p8w0dWUZhD
- Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) June 29, 2026
The financial commitment to Porzingis is also a bet on Rick Celebrini and the medical staff, with some uncertainty still attached to his health and the POTS diagnosis he was initially given while with the Boston Celtics.
When he’s on the floor, Porzingis still brings real value. He averaged 16.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.1 blocks in less than 24 minutes per game with Golden State after the trade, production that gives the Warriors a real chance to get more than they’re paying for.
The risk is obvious, though. If his availability doesn’t improve next season, the Warriors could be staring at another $20 million for him in 2027-28.
Porzingis hasn’t played more than 65 games in a season since his second year with the New York Knicks a decade ago, but Golden State will be hoping that changes as it pushes for a return to the playoffs.
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