Hopes were high for Kristaps Porziņģis as he entered his first full season with the Golden State Warriors. However, the day before the team's regular-season debut, fans learned they'd be without their starting center for "the immediate future." He released his own statement on social media, saying he was working with doctors "to be fully back to good health."
That makes it sound like if Porziņģis' health improves enough for him to play again, that's what will happen. But it seems like there's more to it than that.
As Anthony Slater of ESPN wrote on Wednesday, the center's status has shifted from being out with an illness to not being with the team.
Porzingis' unwillingness to be present at the Warriors' facility could be deemed a failure to render his services -- a reality that has been raised internally, sources said -- and could be used in an attempt to void his entire contract.
ESPN's Shams Charania previously reported that Porziņģis was considering retirement, so while it's not surprising that the Warriors believe he won't play for them again, there seems to be a disconnect between him and the organization regarding his availability.
Kristaps Porzingis has been away from the Warriors
As Slater previously reported, Porziņģis met with Mike Dunleavy and Rick Celebrini at the beginning of the month. Golden State believed he would still be with the team and spending time with the medical staff, but he hasn't returned. That's why voiding his contract may be an option.
It's hard to speak about a private matter, as we don't know what Porziņģis is dealing with or why he hasn't returned to the facility. He may be unable to play, or he may not want to put his body through the process of returning to the court only to face another setback because of his health. That has to be exhausting.
We do know that Golden State is exploring trade scenarios, but doing so at the start of the season for a player who may never suit up again is challenging. Porziņģis is set to make $20 million this season, but only $3 million of the $20 million he could make in 2027-28 is fully guaranteed. And that wasn't because the Warriors saw this happening, but because they knew there were risks.
It would, of course, benefit Golden State if Porziņģis could play again. It'd keep Draymond Green from putting too much strain on his body at 36. The Warriors have Al Horford, but at 40, they have to manage his minutes.
You can't rule out Porziņģis returning, but the writing is on the wall. He hasn't been around the team; nothing has been communicated about his status since we learned he'd be out for an unknown period of time (other than that they're no longer ruling him out due to illness), and the Warriors are trying to find the best way out.
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