The Golden State Warriors are withholding payments on Kristaps Porzingis' $20 million salary as the organization continues exploring trade opportunities for the veteran center ahead of the Feb. 11 deadline.
ESPN's Shams Charania reported Wednesday that Golden State has stopped paying the 31-year-old after determining he is not providing services to the organization.
“The Warriors are not delivering payments to Kristaps Porzingis on his $20 million salary, ruling that he is not rendering services,” Charania wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, citing sources in a report with ESPN's Anthony Slater.
Charania added that Golden State can trade Porzingis' contract despite withholding payments and intends to exhaust its available options.
Jake Fischer of The Stein Line provided additional details Wednesday, reporting that the Warriors are prepared to trade Porzingis immediately if an acceptable deal emerges.
The Warriors are not delivering payments to Kristaps Porzingis on his $20 million salary, ruling that he is not rendering services, sources tell me and @anthonyVslater. Golden State is permitted to move his contract at any point before the Feb. 11 deadline even without paying him… https://t.co/o8ZmdcVQOM
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 4, 2026
“Sources say that the Warriors are prepared to move Porziņģis immediately if the right deal presents itself,” Fischer wrote.
According to Fischer, Golden State does not consider Porzingis' absence excused and is withholding approximately $220,000 per game from the 10-year veteran.
Fischer compared the situation to the Philadelphia 76ers withholding Ben Simmons' salary during the 2021-22 season, although Porzingis has not requested a trade.
Three sources also told The Stein Line that Porzingis would likely have significant interest in negotiating a contract buyout, allowing him to potentially retire while recovering some of his unpaid salary.
Warriors' Kristaps Porzingis trade efforts face significant obstacles
Golden State began exploring trade possibilities before its season opener, with Slater reporting Oct. 21 that Porzingis was contemplating his basketball future because of a private health issue.
ClutchPoints NBA insider Brett Siegel previously reported that the Warriors signed Porzingis to his two-year, $40 million extension partly to preserve his salary slot for potential trades.
Only $3 million of his 2027-28 salary is guaranteed, making his contract potentially attractive to organizations seeking financial flexibility.
However, Siegel reported that rival executives primarily view Porzingis as a contract rather than a player who could contribute immediately.
Article Continues Below“That is a dead cap hit, no matter how you look at it,” one NBA front-office source told ClutchPoints. “Golden State is essentially trading $20 million in cash for next summer to someone if they deal Porzingis. This is Porzingis the contract, not Porzingis the player, that could be dealt. The player aspect of it all is probably done.”
Siegel also identified the Memphis Grizzlies as a potential trade partner because of their $28.8 million trade exception and interest in acquiring draft assets.
Porzingis averaged 16.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.2 blocks across 32 games with the Atlanta Hawks and Warriors last season, shooting 44.6% from the field and 33.8% from 3-point range.
In 15 appearances with Golden State, he averaged 16.1 points and 5.3 rebounds.
Despite his absence, the Warriors have recovered from an 0-3 start with five consecutive victories, including Monday's 116-113 win over the Phoenix Suns.
Golden State (5-3) will host Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Miami Heat (2-5) Thursday at 7 p.m. PT on NBA TV.