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By Bryan Colbert Jr.
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The Golden State Warriors are taking a significant step in their ongoing situation with veteran center Kristaps Porzingis, whose NBA future remains uncertain.
Golden State is reportedly withholding salary payments to Porzingis, who is owed $20 million this season, as the organization continues exploring potential trades involving the 31-year-old.
According to ESPN's Shams Charania and Anthony Slater, the Warriors have determined that Porzingis is not fulfilling his contractual obligations because he is not rendering services to the team.
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Despite the decision to withhold payments, Golden State can reportedly still trade his contract before the NBA's Feb. 11 deadline.
The development adds another complication to a situation that has left Porzingis' future with the franchise in serious doubt.
Porzingis signed a two-year, $40 million contract extension with the Warriors during the offseason after joining Golden State in a trade with the Atlanta Hawks in February. However, the veteran big man has remained away from the team while dealing with ongoing health concerns.
On Oct. 21, the Warriors announced that Porzingis would not be around the organization for the immediate future, declining to provide additional details about his medical situation or potential return.
Charania previously reported that Porzingis was seriously considering stepping away from professional basketball as he continued dealing with recurring health issues.
The uncertainty has prompted Golden State to explore ways to move his contract before the trade deadline.
Although Porzingis is owed $20 million this season, only $3 million of his $20 million salary for the 2027-28 campaign is guaranteed.
That contract structure could make him an attractive trade option for teams looking to reduce future financial commitments.
According to Charania, a team acquiring Porzingis could potentially move another contract in the transaction before pursuing a buyout to create additional roster flexibility.
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Porzingis appeared in just 15 games for Golden State last season, averaging 16.1 points and 5.3 rebounds.
The Warriors originally envisioned him as an important frontcourt contributor alongside Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, but his continued absence has forced the organization to reconsider those plans.
With the trade deadline approaching and Porzingis' playing future unresolved, Golden State now faces an important decision about how to handle a contract that could still provide value even if the veteran center never returns to the court.
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