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Warriors reportedly withholding payments to Kristaps Porzingis
Golden State Warriors forward Kristaps Porzingis. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Warriors reportedly withholding payments on Kristaps Porzingis' $20M salary for not 'rendering services'

Golden State Warriors center Kristaps Porzingis is set to lose out on millions. 

ESPN NBA reporters Shams Charania and Anthony Slater reported Wednesday that the Warriors are withholding payments on Porzingis' $20M salary for not "rendering services." Per The Athletic's Sam Amick and Nick Friedell, the center and his camp aren't planning to dispute this ruling. 

ESPN's Bobby Marks, a former assistant general manager for the Brooklyn Nets, shared this is costing Porzingis $218,341 per game. His $20M salary still counts against the salary cap and tax apron. 

Why Warriors feel Kristaps Porzingis isn't "rendering services" 

Porzingis hasn't played for the Warriors since April 17 as he battles recurring postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) symptoms. POTS is an autonomic nervous system condition that causes rapid heart rate spikes, dizziness and severe fatigue. This has the 31-year-old reportedly weighing retirement.

"Hello people, I'm working with doctors and experts to figure out how to be fully back to good health asap," the one-time All-Star and one-time champion wrote on Oct. 14. "Honestly, I'm getting better and better. I just have to stay patient, and I believe I'll be feeling great again soon.

"It has definitely been frustrating dealing with some health stuff that you can't exactly pinpoint, on top of injuries throughout my career, so it has added up for sure, but we'll get through it.

"Health is wealth. Thank you for all the support."  

Porzingis, who's in the first year of a two-year, $40M contract, hasn't been making his recovery at the team facility regularly. That reportedly frustrated the Warriors, who want to oversee it. That led Golden State to recently change his status to "not with team," increasing the chances he never plays for the Western Conference squad again. 

The Warriors continue exploring possible trade paths before the Feb. 11 deadline. Charania noted, "Absorbing Porzingis' near-expiring deal would allow a rival team to move salary out, save money, and clear a roster spot via a buyout." 

Porzingis, however, shouldn't generate much trade interest. Teams don't want to trade for someone who may soon retire. Regardless, it seems only a matter of time before the 7-foot-2 center no longer offers his services to the Warriors.

Clark Dalton

Clark Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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