Kristaps Porzingis stepping away from basketball amid health issues: 'Not where I want to be'
Kristaps Porzingis will not be stepping on the basketball court for the foreseeable future.
The Golden State Warriors big man announced Friday he will "step away" from basketball as he continues to deal with health issues.
"This season I was really looking forward to running it with this group, but as I ramped up, my body didn’t respond the way I anticipated. 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. At this point, I’ve made the decision to prioritize my health and step away from the game I love," Porzingis said in a statement.
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"In this situation, I want to show the utmost respect for the Golden State Warriors and work with them to find a solution that makes sense. I’m thankful to my family and close ones for always being there. Much appreciation to all of you for the support. Onwards and upwards."
ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania has reported that, according to league sources, the franchise has ceased delivering the semimonthly payments he is due on his $20 million salary. The report also indicated that Porzingis is not actively disputing the lack of payments, and the NBA Players' Association has no plans to dispute it.
Porzingis has not taken the floor for the Warriors this season and stepped away from the team the day before the team's training camp began this offseason. The Latvian is reportedly dealing with recurring symptoms tied to Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), which can cause dizziness and fatigue.
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Porzingis addressed speculation about his health in an Oct. 14 post on X, and also spoke about online rumors involving "internet doctors" who alleged that he had contracted HIV or AIDS.
"Hello people, I’m working with doctors and experts to figure out how to be fully back to good health asap. Honestly, I’m getting better and better," he wrote on X. "I just have to stay patient, and I believe I’ll be feeling great again soon."
Despite appearing in just 74 total games over the last two seasons battling health issues, the Warriors opted to sign the big man to a two-year, $40 million extension during the offseason. Porzingis has earned more than $253 million in the NBA since making his debut as a New York Knicks in 2015.
OutKick's Mark Harris contributed to this report.