When the Golden State Warriors signed Kristaps Porzingis to a two-year, $40M deal, it looked like it might be an overpay. Now that the contract details are out, it’s looking like the Dubs got a steal with their sharpshooting Latvian big man.
Porzingis has struggled with a mysterious health problem the last two seasons, which has been identified as Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, or POTS. The condition can cause a rapid spike in heart rate when Porzingis sits up or stands, leading to lightheadedness or fatigue. It’s a big reason why Porzingis played only 42 games in 2024-25 and just 32 games last season, where he also struggled with Achilles tendonitis.
However, he’s still a proverbial “unicorn” when he’s on the court. He’s 7-foot-2 and a career 36.4 percent three-point shooter, while blocking 1.8 shots per game. Porzingis didn’t get much court time alongside Steph Curry, but there’s reason to believe his presence could greatly open up the Warriors offense with the scoring threat he provides.
Is it a risk? Yes, but far less than what was originally suspected. If Porzingis can play like he did before his struggle with POTS, $20M is a bargain for him. If he can’t stay on the court, the Warriors have only a minimal, $3M commitment for the 2027-28 season. And by signing Porzingis to his deal before July 1, the Warriors have gained valuable flexibility.
Since Porzingis technically signed an extension, not a new contract, he’s not subject to the normal waiting period to be eligible for trades. In general, teams can’t trade newly-signed free agents until at least Dec. 15. Structuring Porzingis’ deal as an extension, and giving him a pay cut, means his contract becomes immediately movable.
That could be crucial if the team’s longshot pursuit of Anthony Davis and LeBron James gains momentum. A short $20M contract is great for matching salaries, especially with the small buyout. Whether it’s this summer, the trade deadline, or even next June, this contract is a great trade chip.
Warriors vice president Rick “Macklin’s Dad” Celebrini has done well in getting Warriors players back on the court, so there’s reason to be optimistic about what he can do with Porzingis. If Celebrini could work his magic, the Porzingis deal would go from “value contract” to “outright steal.”
