The Golden State Warriors are reportedly not paying Kristaps Porzingis, as he continues to be away from the team. Porzingis, 31, signed a two-year $40 million contract with Golden State earlier this summer. However, health issues have left the 7-foot-2 big man pondering his next move, with retirement a legitimate option.
ESPN's Shams Charania reported that the Warriors have ruled that Porzingis is not rendering services," leading the franchise to withhold payment as a result.
"The Warriors are not delivering payments to Kristaps Porzingis on his $20 million salary, ruling that he is not rendering services, sources tell me and @anthonyVslater," Charania reported on X. "Golden State is permitted to move his contract at any point before the Feb.
11 deadline even without paying him currently, and will continue exhausting trade avenues as the 31-year-old leans toward ending his NBA career. Absorbing Porzingis' near-expiring deal would allow a rival team to move a salary out and save money and clear a roster spot via a buyout."
According to Sam Amick and Nick Friedell of The Athletic, Porzingis, along with the NBPA, have no plans to challenge Golden State's decision.
"Porziņģis and the National Basketball Players Association have no current plans to challenge the Warriors’ decision, a league source said," Amick and Friedell reported. "...Based on his salary, Porziņģis is losing approximately $218,000 per game."
While Golden State is undoubtedly open to trading Porziņģis, they may find it difficult to locate a willing trade partner that can both absorb Porziņģis' contract in a trade and is willing to improve Steve Kerr's team in the process. The Warriors are certainly in a peculiar situation. Fortunately, as Charania noted, the franchise has until February 11 to find a solution.
This post originally appeared on Warriors Wire! Follow us on Facebookand Twitter!
This article originally appeared on Warriors Wire: Warriors Take Tough Stance On Porzingis’ Salary Amid Health Woes
