If Wednesday’s Play-In victory served as the perfect reason for the Golden State Warriors to re-sign Kristaps Porzingis in free agency, then Friday’s loss to the Phoenix Suns also sent a message about the risks that will be associated with such a move.
Porzingis’ health concerns reared their head again as the Warriors were trying to save their season, with the veteran center limping off the floor just over four minutes into the third quarter and wasn’t to be seen again as the team were eliminated with a 111-96 defeat.
The Final Injury: A Warning Sign
In fairness to Porzingis, he did well to give Golden State nearly 15 minutes on Friday, having suffered an ankle injury in Wednesday’s win that made him questionable heading into what resulted as the final game of the season.
Porzingis even managed to give the Warriors six quick points to start the third despite clearly being in distress, having finished with 11 points and one rebound while also being a game-worst -22 in his less than 15 minutes on the floor.
While it’s admirable that Porzingis even got out there with Golden State’s season on the line, it was just the latest in an ever-growing list of injury and health concerns that’s still followed him upon his arrival to the Bay Area at February’s trade deadline.
A History of Health Issues
Recovering from Achilles tendinitis and then dealing with a mystery illness, Porzingis appeared in just one of his first 11 games with the Warriors after he was acquired from the Atlanta Hawks for Jonathan Kuminga and veteran sharpshooter Buddy Hield.
Rick Celebrini and Golden State did get Porzingis right to play 16 of the final 22 games of Golden State’s season, including the first Play-In game where he was critical with his 20 points, five rebounds, five assists and two blocks on an efficient 8-of-12 shooting from the floor.
But the pattern is undeniable. Porzingis has missed significant time in every season of his career. He has never been the picture of durability. And now, at 30 years old, his body is sending the same signals it always has.
The Production: Worth the Risk?
With Porzingis set to hit unrestricted free agency, there’s little doubt the 30-year-old is an offensive weapon who will leave a big hole on that end for the Warriors should he depart. He averaged 16.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists in his 15 regular season games following the trade, producing those numbers while averaging less than 24 minutes and not always being his usually efficient self.
When healthy, Porzingis is a unicorn. A 7-foot-3 floor spacer who can protect the rim and stretch defenses. He fits perfectly alongside Stephen Curry, providing the kind of spacing that makes the Warriors’ offense nearly impossible to guard.
But “when healthy” is doing a lot of work in that sentence.
The Risk vs. Reward Calculation
But as they weigh up exactly what they’re willing to pay Porzingis on a new deal, the front office will have to evaluate what that offensive ability is worth up against the constant injury/health concerns and a clear lack of mobility that can negate his defensive value as a rim protector.
There’s still a chance that the Warriors bring Porzingis back on a contract that’s still in excess of $18-20 million per year, but there’s no doubt that will come with risk and could backfire, especially considering the franchise will already be going into next season with two key players on the sidelines.
The Broader Context: Butler’s Injury Looms Large
Jimmy Butler is recovering from a torn ACL. He is expected to miss a couple of months next season in a best-case scenario. The Warriors will already be shorthanded to start the year.
If they commit significant money to Porzingis and he misses extended time, the Warriors could find themselves in a familiar position: relying on Stephen Curry to carry a depleted roster through the regular season, only to run out of gas by the time the playoffs arrive.
The Verdict: A Gamble Golden State Might Have to Take
The Warriors are at a crossroads. Their dynasty is fading. Their core is aging. Their championship window is closing.
Porzingis is not a perfect player. He is injury-prone. He is inconsistent. He is expensive.
But he is also one of the few players available who can meaningfully raise the Warriors’ ceiling.
If Golden State lets him walk, they will have to find another way to improve the roster. With limited cap space and few trade assets, that will not be easy.
The Warriors have never been afraid of risk. They traded for Durant. They traded for Butler. They traded for Porzingis.
Now, they have to decide whether to run it back with him.
The risk is real. The reward is a player who, when healthy, can be the difference between a first-round exit and a championship.
Porzingis’ latest injury is a warning. But for the Warriors, it may be a warning they are willing to ignore.