Why Trade, Retirement Rumors Are Swirling Around Former Celtics Champion image
Feb 19, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors center Kristaps Porzingis (left) shares a laugh with Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (11) following their game at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
Since parting ways with the Celtics after the 2024-25 season, Kristaps Porzingis has struggled to stay on the court.
Porzingis was a key member of the 2024 Celtics that hoisted the Larry O'Brien Trophy, averaging 20.1 points and 7.2 rebounds per game in the regular season as a critical stretch-five option in Joe Mazzulla's starting lineup. Without Porzingis, there's no telling whether Boston would have had the same elite defense in 2023-24.
Now, Porzingis faces an uncertain future in basketball — and for multiple reasons. Based on an ESPN report on Wednesday, not only could he be traded soon, but Porzingis has also contemplated his future in the NBA as he deals with health issues.
Here's the latest on Porzingis and why his NBA future is up in the air.
Why Trade, Retirement Rumors Are Swirling Around Kristaps Porzingis
Since he played 42 games for the Celtics in 2024-25, traded to the Hawks the following offseason, Porzingis has struggled to stay on the court, playing 32 games last season between Atlanta and Golden State. He has been dealing with a private health issue that he's said started when he contracted an "upper respiratory virus" while playing for the Celtics in 2024, per ESPN.
Porzingis has termed his ongoing health issue as a POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome) diagnosis, according to ESPN, causing him to deal with impacts on his energy level, fatigue, and more.
After landing with the Warriors last season via trade, Porzingis signed a two-year, $40 million extension in the offseason — though only $3 million of the $20 million in the second season is guaranteed, per ESPN. The contract was reportedly designed to keep him trade-eligible if needed.
Prior to Golden State's training camp, however, Porzingis informed the team that he was still dealing with the lingering impact of his health issue, per ESPN, and that he would be taking an indefinite leave of absence. At previous team events, he was described as "indifferent and uninterested in participating in scrimmages and strenuous on-court prep work."
The latest development on Porzingis, Shams Charania reported on Wednesday, is that the Warriors are now "exploring trade routes" for the big man, who remains out indefinitely. While the team was "encouraged" by him playing 15 games last season, he now faces an uncertain future.
Porzingis is also reportedly contemplating his future in the NBA in general as he navigates his health issues. Charania reported that the center is thinking upon his "future in basketball." If there isn't a breakthrough in his recovery, "stepping away from basketball -- for good -- is possible" for Porzingis, according to Charania.
"It has definitely been frustrating dealing with some health stuff that you can't exactly pinpoint, on top of injuries throughout my career," Porzingis wrote in an X post last week. "So it has added up for sure, but we will get through it."
Porzingis has not been around the Warriors to start the season despite an expectation that he would do so, per Charania.
Still just 31 years old, it remains unclear whether another team will show a willingness to acquire Porzingis, or if he'll remain in the NBA at all. The Celtics aren't a likely fit if he's moved, considering they already acquired Mitchell Robinson for their center rotation this past offseason.
For Boston fans, though, Porzingis' contributions to the 2024 championship squad will certainly be remembered for a long time.
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