Kristaps Porziņģis is uncertain about remaining with the Golden State Warriors beyond this season. The veteran big man is open to staying with the Warriors as they prepare for another run behind Stephen Curry. He is in the final year of a two-year, $60 million deal.
Porziņģis’s Golden State Experience
Porziņģis has enjoyed his short time with the Golden State Warriors. Acquired before February’s trade deadline from the Atlanta Hawks, the 30-year-old is finding his rhythm. He is fitting seamlessly in the locker room and looking forward to playing with Stephen Curry.
After injuries derailed the past two seasons, Porziņģis looks like he is playing without worry again. The Warriors have given him a platform to showcase his game, even as some around the league wondered whether he could stay healthy. He has played in just 12 games for the Warriors.
When asked if he would like to remain in Golden State, Porziņģis didn’t commit. “It’s hard to say,” Porziņģis told The Athletic after Thursday’s 118-111 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. “Of course, it would be nice for me to go ahead and say, ‘Yes, I want to continue here,’ and this and that.”
Performance and Health
In 12 games with the Warriors, Porziņģis is averaging 17.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists. He has dealt with some health setbacks, including missing two weeks with an illness after debuting on Feb. 19. Porziņģis acknowledged that the illness was at least partially related to his postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) diagnosis.
Since returning on March 7, Porziņģis has remained in the lineup, though he has still not played in both sides of a back-to-back. He believes he can play a lot better than he has shown to this point.
“For me, I just wanted first to get to decent shape,” Porziņģis said. “Take care of that. Which I am kind of working my way into. And then seeing the whole picture, kind of taking a step back, not to put too much pressure on myself. It’s been a year like that, and we’ll see.”
Future Considerations
Porziņģis has earned well over $200 million in his career. As Porziņģis enters what could be the final two weeks in his brief stint with the Warriors, he’s keeping an open mind about his future.
- He is in the final year of a two-year, $60 million deal he originally signed with the Boston Celtics.
- He is open to staying with the Warriors past this season.
- He has played 12 games for the Warriors.
“But the reality is I didn’t have a good year at all. I barely showed what I’m capable of. And so I have to see what’s out there.”
Porziņģis said, “Honestly, the team is great here. I haven’t gotten a chance to play with Steph yet, but the team is great, the city is great, the organization is fantastic. The only thing is the time difference with Europe — it’s 10 hours, it’s too much. But everything else, I enjoy it here.”
One of the main reasons Curry has pushed to return is Porziņģis.