Kristaps Porzingis Trades Being Explored by Warriors Amid Illness, New NBA Rumors Reveal

The Golden State Warriors have "started exploring trade routes" involving veteran center Kristaps Porziņģis, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.

Charania added that Porziņģis is "seriously contemplating his future in basketball" due to lingering effects from his postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome.

The 31-year-old is effectively on an expiring contract. He's making $20 million for the 2026-27 season and only $3 million of his $20 million payout in 2027-28 is guaranteed.

That's going to aid Golden State's efforts to move a player who might be done altogether in the league. His contract could give a team some added flexibility next summer in free agency.

The Warriors have draft assets that can sweeten the deal, too. Depending on how far into the future they're willing to go, one of their first-rounders could be very valuable when we're inching toward a post-Stephen Curry era.

Porziņģis averaged 16.1 points and 5.3 rebounds following his midseason trade to Golden State. His three-point shooting (31.1 percent) left something to be desired, though.

The front office and coaching staff will have had high expectations for the 2017-18 All-Star. His skill set matched nicely with the roster, and he had a full offseason to grow more accustomed to his surroundings.

Instead, ESPN's Anthony Slater reported that "team sources describe a detached Porziņģis as indifferent and uninterested in participating in scrimmages and strenuous on-court prep work" at a session arranged by Jimmy Butler last month.

Porziņģis proceeded to take an indefinite leave of absence.

Especially when Butler is such a wild card coming off a torn ACL, the Warriors can't afford to get nothing on the court from a $20 million salary slot.

With all of the factors at play, it's doubtful Golden State can flip Porziņģis for a major difference-maker unless general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. is willing to give up multiple first-round picks. Dunleavy might at least be able to land somebody who can slot into the frontcourt and be a close facsimile to the Latvian big.