The Golden State Warriors have begun exploring trade possibilities involving Kristaps Porzingis as the veteran center continues to deal with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), a condition that has left his basketball future uncertain. ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Porzingis is seriously contemplating whether to continue playing, while league sources indicated that Golden State is examining potential trade routes to recover value from his contract.
Porzingis signed a two-year, $40 million contract extension with Golden State in June. The agreement provides him with $20 million for the 2026-27 season, while only $3 million of his $20 million salary for 2027-28 is guaranteed.
That structure effectively gives the Warriors an expiring contract for trade purposes, with the partial guarantee for next season potentially providing teams future financial flexibility. A team acquiring Porzingis would have the option to retain him if he recovered sufficiently to return to basketball, but could also benefit from the limited guaranteed salary remaining beyond this season.
Keeping that in mind, we look at three trades the Warriors can seek out to offload Porzingis and add players who can immediately contribute.
#1 Myles Turner and Ryan Rollins
One proposed trade framework would send Porzingis, Moses Moody, a 2028 first-round pick and a 2031 first-round pick swap to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for center Myles Turner and guard Ryan Rollins.
Turner would address Golden State's immediate need for a reliable center. The 30-year-old is a two-time NBA blocks leader and has shot 38.9% from 3-point range over the past two seasons.
Meanwhile, Rollins will provide immediate backcourt production and averaged 17.3 points and 5.6 assists per game last season while shooting 47.2% from the field.
The Bucks will receive a future first-round pick, a pick swap and Moody, a 24-year-old wing who could provide perimeter defense and shooting when he recovers from his knee injury. Milwaukee waiving and stretching Damian Lillard’s contract last season means that they are in need of financial flexibility as they attempt to rebuild in the post-Giannis Antetokounmpo era.
#2 Isaiah Stewart
The Golden State Warriors could explore a lower-cost deal for Memphis Grizzlies center Isaiah Stewart as they look for a more dependable interior presence. Stewart's contract would make him a potentially less expensive alternative to Myles Turner, with the big man owed $15 million for the 2026-27 season.
Of course, the Grizzlies are likely to be reluctant to give up Stewart especially considering Porzingis’ health concerns. However, that potentially opens the door for them to acquire draft compensation, and Memphis may as well demand a first-round pick.
In such a scenario, Golden State will have to consider whether the immediate value Stewart provides will be worth the cost.
Article Continues Below#3 Nic Claxton
Nic Claxton is another option for the Warriors to consider. The Brooklyn Nets star, however, is owed $44.4 million over the next two seasons and the trade might be a hard sell for his current franchise.
Golden State will undoubtedly have to once again throw in potentially a first-round pick, and there is little doubt that they need a defensive specialist if they are to continue being competitive in the Western Conference.
However, considering the financial implications, it is unlikely that Golden State end up committing to this trade. While there are options on the market, the Warriors are also unfortunately looking to trade a player who might as well never play in the NBA again, which means it is unlikely that any team will want to give up a player who can immediately contribute.