Kristaps Porzingis steps away from basketball to prioritise health
Golden State Warriors center Kristaps Porzingis is stepping away from the NBA due to ongoing health issues, ESPN reported.
Kristaps Porzingis has announced he is stepping away from basketball to prioritise his health, ESPN said. The Warriors center signed a two-year, $40 million extension in June but has not played this season.
Key takeaways
- Kristaps Porzingis is stepping away from basketball for health reasons, ESPN reported
- The announcement is not an official retirement
- Porzingis signed a two-year, $40 million extension with Golden State in June
- The Warriors have withheld his $20 million salary
- Golden State is on a six-game winning streak at 6-3
Golden State Warriors center Kristaps Porzingis has announced he is stepping away from basketball to prioritize his health, ESPN reported. The 31-year-old Latvian made the announcement on Friday. He signed a two-year, $40 million contract extension with the Warriors in late June but has not played a game this season.
Porzingis explains decision
Porzingis wrote on social media that his body did not respond as he anticipated when he ramped up for training camp. He said he feels well but is not ready to perform at the level he expects from himself. The Warriors stopped paying him because he is not rendering services under his contract, and neither he nor the players' association plans to challenge that, Hoops Wire reported.
> I want to show the utmost respect for the Golden State Warriors and work with them to find a solution that makes sense
Contract and trade situation
The Warriors have not voided his contract, ESPN said. They can still use his $20 million salary in a trade before February's deadline. Porzingis is open to a trade. Golden State has jumped out to a 6-3 start with an ongoing six-game win streak, ESPN reported. Draymond Green has handled much of the responsibility at center in Porzingis's absence, Hoops Wire said.
What happens next
The Warriors will survey the trade market to improve the team, ESPN reported. Porzingis did not announce a timetable for a possible return and did not describe the decision as retirement, Hoops Wire said. News said. News added.
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