Warriors Plan Season Without Kristaps Porzingis
The team is adjusting its rotation and evaluating the center's contract status following his prolonged absence.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Basketball
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Golden State Warriors fans looking for clarity on the frontcourt will have to wait as the team moves forward under the assumption that Kristaps Porzingis will not return this season. The center, who missed training camp and the preseason with POTS, was recently spotted in Marbella, Spain, amid reports that he has considered retirement.
Why it matters
The team is managing frontcourt minutes among older veterans like 36-year-old Draymond Green and 40-year-old Al Horford while navigating an early 1-3 record. Whether the team pursues legal action to void the center's contract based on a failure to render services remains an open, internal question.
The Warriors have opened the season with a 1-3 record while juggling frontcourt rotations for aging stars. The status of the 31-year-old center remains unresolved, and the team is currently managing salary obligations of $20 million for this season.
The players
Kristaps Porzingis
The 31-year-old center who remains away from the team after missing camp due to POTS.
Steve Kerr
The Warriors head coach tasked with managing the team rotation in the absence of a key center.
Mike Dunleavy
The Warriors general manager who met with Porzingis in early October.
Draymond Green
The 36-year-old forward currently serving as a key part of the team's frontcourt rotation.
Rick Celebrini
The team official who met with Porzingis alongside the general manager in early October.
The details
Following an early October meeting with GM Mike Dunleavy and Rick Celebrini, Porzingis has not returned to the Warriors facility. Front office leadership has instructed head coach Steve Kerr to proceed with a rotation featuring Draymond Green, Graham Ike, and Charles Bassey. The team is exploring whether his continued absence constitutes a failure to render services sufficient to void his $40 million extension.
Timeline
Kristaps Porzingis signed a two-year extension during the 2026 offseason.
The center met with team leadership in early October 2026.
The Warriors opened the 2026 season with a 1-3 record through October.
Across the Bay
The Warriors' internal exploration of whether the center's absence constitutes a failure to render services is a rare test of the NBA's standard player contract. This situation follows a precedent set by the team’s ongoing efforts to balance a high-salary roster with a need for on-court production.
If you are following the team's early-season struggles, watch for how the rotation shifts among Green, Ike, and Bassey to compensate for the missing center. The team's defensive and rebounding metrics will remain the primary figures to track during the upcoming games.
The takeaway
The team has officially moved into a reality where their starting center is not expected back, regardless of his recent travel. Keep an eye on any official filings regarding the player's contract status as the season progresses.
Further reading
For more on roster shifts, visit the Basketball section.
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