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The hope of seeing Kristaps Porzingis return to the court in a Celtics uniform has faded. At only 31 years old, the former Boston champion has made the difficult decision to step away from the game. His body could no longer handle the demands he wanted to place on it. This is not a trade or a temporary break—it is a full stop. The 7-foot-2 big man who helped Boston capture the Larry O'Brien Trophy in 2024 has chosen to put his health first.
Porzingis had been optimistic about the current season with the Golden State Warriors. He was eager to run the floor alongside his new teammates. However, the reality of his physical condition shattered those plans. "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," Porzingis said in a statement. He understands the level required to compete at a high level and acknowledges he is not there yet. By prioritizing his health, he will not play for the Warriors this year. It is a painful conclusion for a player who once delivered a championship to Boston.
The financial implications are equally stark. The Warriors have ceased paying his $20 million salary, with Boston.com reporting that the team considers the absent center to not be rendering his services. This is a rare and severe step, underscoring the seriousness of the situation. Porzingis has not contested the lack of payment, and league sources indicate the players association has no plans to dispute the decision either. The silence from both the player and the union highlights the gravity of his health struggles.
Health Issues That Halted a Career
Since his last campaign with Boston in 2024-25, Porzingis has battled illness. An autoimmune disorder known as P.O.T.S. has caused recurring symptoms, sapping his energy and limiting his ability to play. Before this latest setback, he had appeared in just 32 games total for the Atlanta Hawks and the Warriors. The Warriors signed him to a two-year, $40 million contract this past summer, hoping he would provide depth alongside Stephen Curry. Instead, he has been sidelined indefinitely since September.
Golden State is not currently attempting to void his contract. They aim to preserve flexibility for a potential trade before the Feb. 11 deadline. "The Warriors have no current plans on voiding Porzingis' contract," team sources said, maintaining trade flexibility up until the Feb. 11 deadline, according to a report by ESPN's Shams Charania and Anthony Slater. But time is running out on his career. At 31, with health issues that have not improved, the window to return is closing rapidly.
Celtics fans who once cheered for his rim protection and shooting now watch a player who cannot even step on the court. The league is preparing for the worst-case scenario. ESPN's Shams Charania said the Warriors are exploring trade options while Porzingis contemplates ending his career. "He continues to deal with recurring symptoms of an autoimmune disease known as P.O.T.S.," Charania said. "He has not been feeling good, especially recently from my understanding, and if there is no breakthrough the Warriors are braced for him potentially having to leave the game of basketball at 31 years old." The numbers on his contract and the dates of his games tell the full story of a career cut short by a body that just will not heal.
Originally reported by yahoo.