Golden State Warriors withhold Porzingis' $20M salary as retirement looms
The Golden State Warriors are not paying Kristaps Porzingis any of his $20 million salary, citing that he is "not rendering services," according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Porzingis has been away from the team since before the season, continuing to battle an illness that has sidelined him since early 2025, and reports indicate he is leaning toward retirement. Despite withholding pay, the Warriors are still actively pursuing trade options for Porzingis ahead of the February trade deadline, as his near-expiring contract could appeal to teams looking to manage their salary cap. Porzingis has not disputed the decision to withhold his paychecks, which Charania suggests may signal he does not intend to resume his NBA career.
The Warriors are not delivering payments to Kristaps Porzingis on his $20 million salary, ruling that he is not rendering services
Why it matters
For brands: Teams exploring a trade for Porzingis could absorb his expiring contract to clear cap space or move an existing salary, making him an unconventional asset before the February deadline.
For media: The unresolved and unusual nature of this standoff — involving illness, withheld pay, and possible retirement — makes it a continuing story to monitor through the trade deadline.
For athletes: Porzingis' situation illustrates how NBA teams can withhold salary from players deemed not to be rendering services, even when both sides appear to accept the arrangement.
Read the full story at Sporting News
Sources
- Sporting News · Dan Treacy: What's going on with Kristaps Porzingis? Why Warriors are withholding checks from NBA champion