Warriors explore Porziņģis trade options; Milwaukee reportedly contacted
Golden State has begun looking at potential deals for its absent center, ESPN reported. HoopsHype says the Warriors recently contacted the Bucks, who are not believed to be interested.
The Golden State Warriors are exploring trades involving center Kristaps Porziņģis as he remains away from the team with a private health issue, ESPN reported on October 21. HoopsHype separately reported that Golden State recently contacted the Milwaukee Bucks about a possible deal, although the Bucks are not believed to be interested.
ESPN attributed the broader trade exploration to league sources who spoke to its reporter Shams Charania. HoopsHype attributed the Milwaukee contact to an anonymous league source. Neither report established that a deal had been agreed, and the Warriors said they would not comment on trade speculation or reports concerning Porziņģis's health-related matter or future.
Why Porziņģis's contract matters to a trade
Porziņģis signed a two-year, $40 million extension with Golden State in June, ESPN reported. Only $3 million of the $20 million due in its second season is guaranteed, giving the contract an expiring structure. ESPN said the team kept his salary level between the two seasons, allowing him to be traded immediately instead of waiting until mid-December.
That flexibility was built into a deal for a player the Warriors had expected to start at center, according to ESPN. He played in 15 of their final 20 games last season, and team management entered the summer expecting him in a frontcourt alongside Draymond Green and rookie Yaxel Lendeborg. His absence has since changed the team's immediate plans.
Porziņģis remains away from the Warriors
Before training camp, Porziņģis told general manager Mike Dunleavy that he was still dealing with the lingering effects of a health issue and would take an indefinite leave of absence, ESPN reported. He missed the first two weeks of camp and the entire preseason, then met Dunleavy and the team's lead medical decision-maker, Rick Celebrini, in San Francisco on October 13. ESPN reported that he had not returned to the team facility after that meeting.
The Warriors listed Porziņģis as out for their October 21 season opener against the Los Angeles Lakers, with the reason given as ‘not with team,’ ESPN reported. In a statement quoted by ESPN, the team said it did not anticipate him being around the Warriors in the immediate future and would provide updates when appropriate. ESPN also reported that the health issue has left Porziņģis seriously contemplating his basketball future.
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Sources and context
- Sources: Warriors exploring options to trade center Kristaps PorzingisESPN
- Warriors reached out to Bucks about Kristaps Porzingis recentlyHoopsHype, republished by Yahoo Sports
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.
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