The Golden State Warriors have stopped making payments to Kristaps Porzingis on his $20 million salary, Shams Charania reported Wednesday, November 4, as the team continues exploring trade options for the center ahead of the February 11 deadline.
Charania reported that Golden State considers Porzingis not to be rendering services and is permitted to trade his contract without currently paying him. The 31-year-old is leaning toward ending his NBA career, according to Charania, who cited Anthony Slater alongside him.
The Warriors are not considering voiding Porzingis’ contract despite his indefinite absence, Danny Emerman of The San Francisco Standard reported Sunday, November 1, citing a team source. Porzingis has not been with the team since informing the front office of a health issue the day before training camp.
Golden State announced October 14 that Porzingis had met with general manager Mike Dunleavy and head of performance staff Rick Celebrini at Chase Center. A week later, the team said it did not expect him to rejoin the group in the immediate future. ESPN previously reported that the 12-year NBA veteran was seriously contemplating his basketball future.
Porzingis is owed $23 million in guaranteed salary, including $3 million guaranteed for 2027-28. The Warriors are approximately $300,000 below the second apron, restricting their ability to take back more salary than they send out in a trade.
Charania reported that absorbing Porzingis’ near-expiring contract could allow another team to move salary, save money and open a roster spot through a buyout. However, a buyout requires mutual agreement, and Porzingis has little financial incentive to surrender guaranteed money.
Golden State cannot use the waive-and-stretch provision during the season because the deadline for that mechanism was August 31. A disabled player exception would require an independent doctor to rule Porzingis out for the season, while the second-apron restrictions would limit its usefulness.
The Warriors re-signed Porzingis after he appeared in 15 games for them last season, averaging 16.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 23.7 minutes. He shot 43.3% from the field and 31.1% from three-point range.
His absence has left Draymond Green and 40-year-old Al Horford as Golden State’s primary center options. Charles Bassey and two-way player Graham Ike have also entered the rotation as the Warriors opened the 2026-27 season 5-3 through eight games.
Porzingis last played April 15. Under the medical-retirement process described by Emerman, Golden State must wait a full year after that appearance before formally petitioning the NBA for a career-ending medical designation.
