Warriors Exploring Kristaps Porzingis Trade As Center Contemplates Retirement
Shams Charania reported Porzingis is 'seriously contemplating his future in basketball.'
is currently trying to trade a guy who might literally retire tomorrow. According to a massive report from Shams Charania, the are exploring trade routes for , while the big man is simultaneously contemplating his basketball future due to recurring symptoms from POTS.
Trying to find a trade partner for a player actively weighing retirement is like trying to sell a used car while the engine is actively on fire in the driveway. The Warriors gave up Jonathan Kuminga to get him from the Atlanta Hawks at last February's deadline, watched him play exactly 15 games, handed him a two-year extension this offseason, and are now apparently looking for the nearest exit.
Porzingis has been battling Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome for at least two years. He didn't even make the trip to Hawaii for training camp, and head coach Steve Kerr recently admitted the situation is highly concerning. When you factor in that Porzingis hasn't cleared 70 games since his 2015-16 rookie year and averages just 53 games a season, the medical red flags are less of a flag and more of a giant billboard.
was supposed to rely on Porzingis to anchor a new five-out, three-point-heavy offense. Instead, their center rotation is currently being held together by Al Horford, , and Graham Ike. If you are looking at futures or 's win totals, you have to completely erase Porzingis from the math.
The head to Los Angeles to play the Lakers on October 22, and they will do it with a massive hole in the middle of their roster. Whether Porzingis gets moved to a franchise willing to take on a medical mystery or simply decides to hang up his sneakers for good, the front office is officially in damage control mode.