{"id":680,"date":"2026-10-28T20:31:17","date_gmt":"2026-10-28T19:31:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nbamaniacs.com\/en\/?p=680"},"modified":"2026-10-29T14:05:43","modified_gmt":"2026-10-29T14:05:43","slug":"new-twist-porzingis-saga-warriors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nbamaniacs.com\/en\/new-twist-porzingis-saga-warriors\/","title":{"rendered":"A new twist in the Porzingis saga?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Did you think Haliburton’s was the last piece of bad news of the day in an absolutely dreadful start to the NBA season?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In case you haven’t hit refresh lately: Haliburton’s injury<\/a>. Edwards’ injury<\/a>. JJJr’s injury<\/a>. Leonard’s indefinite absence<\/a>. Duren’s injury<\/a>. Suggs’ scare<\/a>. Wallace’s injury<\/a>. Jalen Williams’ injury<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I’m very sorry to say that it wasn’t. And over there, in the United States, it’s barely half past three in the afternoon, so there’s still plenty of day left. For some consolation, the latest one isn’t entirely new. It is merely confirmation of an already known problem, which now faces a bleak new scenario, clouding over in a way we didn’t see coming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.nbamaniacs.com\/rumores-nba\/golden-state-busca-la-salida-de-porzingis\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Kristaps Porzingis’ problem at Golden State, who were already looking for a new team for him, could be about to take on a new dimension, shifting the burden of proof, so to speak, onto the player. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to ESPN<\/em>, the Warriors have internally raised the idea that his absence from the facility could be considered a breach of his obligations and serve as grounds to try to void his contract. It is a complex possibility, with nothing decided, while the franchise keeps the trade route open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Team sources consulted by the outlet consider it very unlikely that the Latvian will play for the Warriors again. His situation has gone from affecting sporting planning to forcing the front office to study how to recover some value from a $40 million gamble.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No sign of him professionally… or personally<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The new development, then, lies in how Golden State interpret his absence and try, at the very least, to turn misfortune into opportunity. Porzingis told Mike Dunleavy that he needed to step away from the team because of a private health issue just before the start of pre-season. The Warriors initially gave him that space, but expected him to later come to the facility and keep in-person contact with his team-mates and the medical staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After a meeting with Dunleavy and Rick Celebrini, the franchise’s head of medical, the club went so far as to announce that the player would be close to the team during his recovery. However, there has been no sign of the forward-centre since. That is when Golden State opted to change the official reason for his absence: he stopped being listed as absent due to an illness and began to appear as away from the team.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to ESPN, that change was deliberate and his absence is no longer considered justified on the same terms as before. The possibility of ‘selling’ it as a failure to provide his services has been put on the table within the organisation. This alone does not mean the Warriors have started proceedings to void the contract. But it is the first turn of the key towards such an outcome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you can’t have bread… have cash <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Porzingis earns $20 million this season and is due another $20 million for the next, although only $3 million is guaranteed. That protection turns his deal, for practical purposes, into an expiring contract, with a limited financial commitment for the following season. The Warriors also structured it so that he could be traded immediately, without waiting until 15 December.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That is where a good part of his current value lies. A team interested in cutting future salary commitments could accept his contract in exchange for a player who would actually help Golden State. If Porzingis were also willing to give up a significant amount through a buyout agreement, the deal could become even more attractive for that hypothetical destination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Voiding the contract, on the other hand, would provide considerable financial relief for a team that finds it much harder to do the same on the court, with Stephen Curry carrying the load as if he were 25 years old instead of 38. The Warriors are $20.4 million over the luxury tax threshold. Removing the centre’s salary would wipe out almost all of that bill and put them below the first apron<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, it would not open up the room to sign a top-level replacement in free agency. According to ESPN, they could only bring in a player on a minimum contract.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remembering the Melton case<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

That is why the preferred route resembles a deal Dunleavy already carried out two seasons ago. Golden State had signed De\u2019Anthony Melton for one year and $12.8 million when a torn anterior cruciate ligament prematurely ended his season. The front office then used his contract to acquire Dennis Schr\u00f6der from Brooklyn, at a net cost of two second-round picks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Schr\u00f6der played 24 games for the Warriors before being included in the trade that took Jimmy Butler to San Francisco. The precedent offers a model: attach a lower-value asset to Porzingis’ contract, land someone who can contribute immediately, and keep the option of including that salary in a bigger deal before the market closes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The obstacle is finding a willing partner. Dunleavy, according to sources, has already sounded out the market, without much success. Franchises are still assessing their rosters, and teams willing to hand over a useful player for modest compensation are scarce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Good News of the Day in San Francisco<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

And now let’s do what Antena3 Noticias<\/em> do: after half an hour of ruining our lunch with the news, they close with the \u201cGood News of the Day\u201d; like someone offering you a piece of chewing gum after telling you your house is being repossessed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yaxel WENT OFF in Golden State’s win \ud83d\udd25\n\n31 PTS (career-high)\n12 REB (game-high)\n6 AST\n\nHe becomes the first @warriors rookie since Steph Curry (2\/10\/2010) to record 30+ PTS, 10+ REB, and 5+ AST in a single game! https:\/\/t.co\/FYe42bFtD8<\/p>— NBA (@NBA) October 27, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote>\n