Kristaps Porzingis’ Warriors tenure is nearing its end, with Michael Scotto saying Wednesday, November 5, that Golden State views his contract primarily as expiring salary.
“The end of the Porzingis tenure in Golden State will come. It’s a question of when,” Scotto said on SiriusXM NBA Radio. He explained that the contract could help the Warriors acquire a player with a longer-term deal.
That possibility matters because Golden State is approximately $300,000 below the second apron and cannot take back more salary than it sends out in a trade.
Scotto said rival executives hope the Warriors will attach draft compensation to move Porzingis’ contract. However, he added that he had not heard Golden State was willing to do so.
The Warriors stopped making payments on Porzingis’ $20 million salary, Shams Charania reported Wednesday, November 4. Charania said the team considers the center not to be rendering services and can trade his contract without currently paying him.
Porzingis is owed $23 million in guaranteed salary, including $3 million for the 2027-28 season. His contract therefore offers another team a way to move salary, potentially save money and create a roster spot through a buyout, according to Charania.
A buyout would require agreement from both sides, while Porzingis has little financial incentive to give up guaranteed money. Charania also reported that the 31-year-old is leaning toward ending his NBA career.
Golden State has continued exploring trade options ahead of the February 11 deadline. Danny Emerman of The San Francisco Standard reported Sunday, citing a team source, that the Warriors were not considering voiding Porzingis’ contract.
Porzingis has not been with the team since informing the front office of a health issue the day before training camp. On October 14, Golden State said he had met with general manager Mike Dunleavy and head of performance staff Rick Celebrini at Chase Center.
A week later, the Warriors said they did not expect Porzingis to rejoin the group in the immediate future. ESPN had previously reported that the 12-year NBA veteran was seriously contemplating his basketball future.
The Warriors re-signed Porzingis after he played 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 began the 2026-27 season 5-3 through eight games.
Porzingis last played on April 15. Under the medical-retirement process described by Emerman, Golden State must wait a full year from that appearance before formally petitioning the NBA for a career-ending medical designation.
