Kristaps Porzingis has announced he will step away from basketball as he continues to manage health issues. The Golden State Warriors center stated his body did not respond as anticipated during his ramp-up, leading him to prioritize his health.
"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," Porzingis said in a statement. "At this point, I’ve made the decision to prioritize my health and step away from the game I love."
According to a report from ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania, league sources indicated that the Warriors franchise has stopped making semimonthly payments on Porzingis' $20 million salary. The report also noted that neither Porzingis nor the NBA Players' Association plans to dispute the lack of payments.
Porzingis has not played for the Warriors this season and stepped away from the team before training camp began. He is reportedly dealing with recurring symptoms related to Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), a condition that can cause dizziness and fatigue. In October, Porzingis addressed speculation about his health, writing on X, "I’m getting better and better. I just have to stay patient, and I believe I’ll be feeling great again soon."
Despite battling health issues that have limited him to 74 games over the past two seasons, the Warriors signed Porzingis to a two-year, $40 million extension in the offseason. Since his NBA debut with the New York Knicks in 2015, Porzingis has earned over $253 million.