Stephen Curry admitted that uncertainty surrounding Latvian center Kristaps Porzingis has become a significant problem for the Golden State Warriors after they opened the season with a 127-105 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Los Angeles Lakers 127-105 10-22 Golden State Warriors
Los Angeles Lakers
Golden State Warriors Sat 02:00 Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis Grizzlies
Phoenix Suns Sun 02:00 Golden State Warriors
Golden State Warriors
Denver Nuggets Tue 02:00 Golden State Warriors
Denver Nuggets
Minnesota Timberwolves 10-29 00:00 Golden State Warriors
Minnesota Timberwolves
Porzingis was expected to be one of the key pieces of Golden State's frontcourt this season, but the 31-year-old remains away from the team while dealing with an ongoing health issue.
Asked how much Porzingis' absence affects the Warriors' ceiling, Curry first pointed to the human side of the situation before acknowledging the basketball consequences.
"It's a hard one for all reasons, him personally first and foremost, but us as a team knowing you have an idea of who you are coming into a season," Curry said after the season-opening loss on Wednesday.
"We always said availability was a big factor for our team with the guys that we already had out. So it's no secret that spot was an important one for us, especially with his skill set," Steph continued.
"It's hard to talk about it while keeping the humanity of it in mind, but it is a tough one to figure out for now and for the future," he added.
"Again, you had a good look at what we were supposed to be as a team. We have to overcome that, obviously, but we would have loved to have him here."
Curry has not spoken to Porzingis since training camp began
When Curry was asked whether he had spoken with his teammate recently, his answer was brief.
"Not since training camp started."
Porzingis missed Golden State's entire training camp and preseason before being ruled out indefinitely.
Ahead of the season opener, the Warriors announced that they did not expect Porzingis to be around the team in the "immediate future," while declining to discuss reports about his health or future.
"You go out there and play," Draymond Green was blunt. "If a guy's injured, you don't sit in the locker room like, 'Oh man, I don't want to go play.'"
Warriors reportedly exploring Porzingis trade, retirement becomes possible
The situation took another major turn when ESPN's Shams Charania reported that the Warriors have begun exploring potential trade options involving Porzingis.
According to the report, Porzingis continues to deal with recurring symptoms associated with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, commonly known as POTS.
The condition can cause symptoms including fatigue, dizziness, and an elevated heart rate, and it has hindered Porzingis' ability to play consistently over the past two seasons.
ESPN also reported that Porzingis is "seriously contemplating his future in basketball."
The Warriors acquired Porzingis from the Atlanta Hawks at the 2026 trade deadline in a deal that sent Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield to Atlanta.
According to ESPN, Porzingis will earn $20 million this season, while only $3 million of his salary for 2027-28 is guaranteed.
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