Golden State Warriors center Kristaps Porzingis announced Friday he is stepping away from basketball indefinitely as he continues to grapple with unresolved health issues, a decision that comes as the team has reportedly stopped making his salary payments.
“This season I was really looking forward to running it with this group, but as I ramped up, my body didn’t respond the way I anticipated,” Porzingis said in a statement. “I’m doing good, but I know what it takes and I’m not where I want to be to perform at the level that I expect from myself. At this point, I’ve made the decision to prioritize my health and step away from the game I love.”
He added: “In this situation, I want to show the utmost respect for the Golden State Warriors and work with them to find a solution that makes sense. I’m thankful to my family and close ones for always being there. Much appreciation to all of you for the support. Onwards and upwards.”
According to ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania, league sources say the Warriors have ceased the semimonthly payments on Porzingis’ $20 million salary. Charania also reported that Porzingis is not actively disputing the halted payments, and the NBA Players’ Association does not plan to challenge the move.
Porzingis has not appeared in a single game for Golden State this season and left the team the day before training camp opened this offseason. He is reportedly dealing with recurring symptoms tied to Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, a condition known as POTS that can cause dizziness and fatigue.
The Latvian big man addressed swirling online speculation about his condition in an Oct. 14 post on X, pushing back on unfounded claims from so-called “internet doctors” who suggested he had contracted HIV or AIDS.
“Hello people, I’m working with doctors and experts to figure out how to be fully back to good health asap,” he wrote. “Honestly, I’m getting better and better. I just have to stay patient, and I believe I’ll be feeling great again soon.”
Porzingis appeared in just 74 total games over the past two seasons while battling health setbacks, yet the Warriors still signed him to a two-year, $40 million extension this past offseason. Since debuting with the New York Knicks in 2015, Porzingis has earned more than $253 million in the NBA.
Add comment