Warriors exploring trades for Kristaps Porziņģis as his NBA future is in question, ESPN reports

What was reported

The Golden State Warriors have begun exploring trades for center Kristaps Porziņģis, who is out indefinitely with a health issue and is weighing his future in basketball, ESPN reported on Wednesday, citing league sources. The report, attributed to ESPN's Shams Charania, said retirement is possible if his recovery does not progress. ^{[1] [4]}

Porziņģis was listed as "not with team" for the Warriors' season opener against the Lakers on Wednesday night, a designation that differs from an injury or illness listing, ESPN reported. He has not returned to the team facility, and his contact with the club has been mainly with general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. and Rick Celebrini, the team's lead medical decision-maker, according to ESPN. ^{[1] [2]}

The Warriors' statement

Golden State issued a statement on Wednesday saying it would not comment on trade speculation or reports about his health or future, according to ClutchPoints, which published the text. The team said conversations between the club, Porziņģis and his representatives would remain private. ^[2]

The Warriors said they were "not anticipating Kristaps being around the team in the immediate future" and would provide more updates when available and appropriate, the same account says. The statement did not say whether he has been medically cleared to play or when he might return. ^[2]

Health: what is on the record

The Warriors have not publicly described the nature of his condition beyond calling it a health-related matter. Porziņģis has himself described his diagnosis as postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, known as POTS, ESPN reported. The outlet's description of the condition says it can cause dizziness, fatigue and brain fog. This article does not add any medical detail beyond what the team and the player have said. ^[1]

ESPN reported that he has said the problem followed an upper respiratory virus he caught about two years ago, while with the Boston Celtics. In a post on X, he wrote that it had been "frustrating dealing with some health stuff that you can't exactly pinpoint," per ESPN. On October 14, he posted that he was working with doctors and experts to get back to good health as soon as possible, Sports Illustrated reported. ^{[1] [3]}

According to ESPN, he told Dunleavy on the Sunday before training camp that he was still dealing with the issue and would take an indefinite leave. He missed the first two weeks of camp and all of the preseason. He later met in San Francisco with Dunleavy and Celebrini, ESPN reported; ClutchPoints placed that meeting on October 13. ^{[1] [2]}

Contract and trade picture

Porziņģis signed a two-year, $40 million extension in June, ESPN reported. Only $3 million of the $20 million due in the second season is guaranteed, which makes the deal effectively an expiring contract. Because the salary does not rise between seasons, he is immediately eligible to be traded rather than having to wait until mid-December, the outlet said. ^{[1] [4]}

ESPN said the market for him is unclear, though draft assets attached to a deal could draw offers even without certainty about his return. Golden State holds multiple first-round picks and several expiring contracts, and Dunleavy has said the roster's construction allows for an in-season trade if the right deal appears, according to the report. ^{[1] [4]}

Background

Golden State acquired Porziņģis from Atlanta in February 2026, Sports Illustrated reported. He played 15 of the team's final 20 games of last season, including both play-in games, according to ESPN and Sports Illustrated. He had been traded from Boston to Atlanta in the 2025 offseason and revealed his POTS diagnosis that October, SI said. ^{[1] [3]}

ESPN said management had expected him to start at center alongside Draymond Green and rookie Yaxel Lendeborg this season. ESPN also reported that team sources described him as detached during scrimmage work at a player-led event organized by Jimmy Butler in San Diego in late September. ^[1]

What is not known

No timetable for a return has been given, and neither the Warriors nor Porziņģis has publicly confirmed that he is considering retirement; that claim rests on ESPN's sources. No trade partner has been identified. The Warriors said they would issue further updates, and any trade could come at any point during the season. ^{[1] [2]}