The Golden State Warriors pulled the trigger on a blockbuster trade-deadline deal for Kristaps Porzingis with two clear goals in mind: bolstering rim protection and floor spacing around Stephen Curry, while finally closing the door on the increasingly messy Jonathan Kuminga chapter.
Just weeks later, the move is already raising major red flags.
Porzingis has appeared in only one game for his new team and is now sidelined by a mystery illness that will keep him out of at least the next two contests. The Latvian big man did not travel with the Warriors on their upcoming road trip, according to insider Anthony Slater, adding fresh worry to an already fragile situation.
Warriors Already ‘Concerned’ on Kristaps Porzingis Long-Term Health While the reasons for moving Kuminga and Buddy Hield were obvious at the time, the return on investment for Porzingis is looking riskier by the day — especially with the 30-year-old heading into unrestricted free agency this summer.
Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey recently listed Porzingis as Golden State’s biggest “free-agency flight risk,” noting he is in the final year of a two-year, $60 million deal. The expectation behind the trade was that Porzingis would re-sign in the Bay Area on a team-friendly extension, but with his injury history and current absence, that guarantee is evaporating fast.
Warriors Continue To Get Bad Kristaps Porzingis News The stretch big has now missed more time than he has played since arriving, and the early returns are far below what the front office envisioned when they bet on the former All-Star.
“Golden State acquired KP counting on him to help the Warriors make some kind of run with Curry, which was already a long shot even if he were healthy and stayed that way,” wrote Jordanna Clark of BlueManHoop.com. “The brief optimism from his debut was completely erased when they announced he’d miss Sunday’s game.”
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In a cruel twist, Porzingis’ former teammate Al Horford — another offseason addition — delivered exactly the kind of performance Golden State hoped to see from their new stretch-five. Horford exploded for 22 points on 6-of-7 three-point shooting with seven assists in the Warriors’ recent loss to the Denver Nuggets. It was the precise contribution the front office traded for… and Porzingis has yet to provide it.
Warriors’ Injury Updates On Curry, Porzingis And More The injury cloud hanging over Chase Center is getting darker. Stephen Curry remains sidelined with runner’s knee and is expected to miss additional games after already sitting out since late January. The team’s slide in the standings only increases the chance his absence stretches further.
Porzingis is officially out with illness and did not make the trip for the upcoming back-to-back in New Orleans and Memphis. Draymond Green, Al Horford, and De’Anthony Melton are all listed as questionable for Tuesday night against the Pelicans.
Seth Curry and rookie LJ Cryer continue to miss time, while Jimmy Butler is done for the season — and possibly longer — after tearing his ACL in January.
Meanwhile, across the country, Jonathan Kuminga is questionable to make his Atlanta Hawks debut against the Washington Wizards. Until Kuminga actually steps on the floor and shows what he can do in his new uniform, Warriors fans will keep second-guessing whether shipping him out for the oft-injured Porzingis was a masterstroke or a costly mistake.
The frustration in the Bay Area is growing louder by the day. Losing Porzingis for nothing in free agency this summer would be a catastrophic blunder, yet relying on a player who can’t stay healthy feels equally dangerous. With Curry’s return uncertain and the roster riddled with ailments, the Warriors’ push for a playoff run is hanging by a thread — and the mystery illness surrounding their newest big man is only making the disaster in the Bay feel more real.