Kristaps Porzingis Talks Warriors Future, NBA Free Agency, 'Have to See What's Out There'
Just two months after being acquired by the Golden State Warriors in a trade, Kristaps Porziņģis is aware that his tenure with the franchise could be short-lived with free agency looming this summer.
Speaking to The Athletic's Nick Friedell, Porziņģis admitted "I have to see what's out there" and gave an honest answer about how he's performed this season.
"It's hard to say. Of course, it would be nice for me to go ahead and say, 'Yes, I want to continue here,' and this and that. But the reality is I didn't have a good year at all. I barely showed what I'm capable of. And so I have to see what's out there."
The Warriors acquired Porziņģis from the Atlanta Hawks for Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield on Feb. 5. There was very little financial benefit to the team since Kuminga seemed unlikely to be with the Warriors in 2026-27 given his documented issues with Steve Kerr, but they could have used his $24.3 million team option for next season as a potential trade facilitator.
Hield is owed $9.7 million next season, but only $3 million of that is guaranteed until the day after the 2026 NBA draft.
The Warriors are projected to be $20.7 million under the first apron as this currently stand. Their roster outlook is also very unclear with Draymond Green holding a $27.7 million player option and Jimmy Butler recovering from a torn ACL with a $56.8 million salary. Moses Moody's status for next season is also up in the air after tearing his patellar tendon on March 23.
Porziņģis is playing on a $30.7 million expiring salary. He has only played in 29 games all season between the Hawks and Warriors. The 30-year-old is averaging 17.5 points on 45.0 percent shooting, 4.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game in 12 appearances for Golden State.
Things could get better for the Warriors over the final week of the regular season and heading into the play-in tournament. Stephen Curry is reportedly set to play for the first time since Jan. 30 on Sunday against the Houston Rockets.
If the Warriors get into the postseason and Porziņģis performs well, he could earn a good contract from Golden State or another team in free agency. These next two weeks are going to be crucial in determining how clubs view him going forward.
Golden State (36-41) is locked into the play-in tournament with five games remaining. The Warriors are currently 10th in the West and on track to play the Los Angeles Clippers in the first play-in game, but seeding is still up in the air right now.
