Kristaps Porzingis is keeping his options open this offseason despite finding comfort with the Golden State Warriors, declining to commit to a return when asked directly about his future with the franchise.
"It's hard to say," Porzingis told The Athletic after Thursday's 118-111 loss to Cleveland. "Of course, it would be nice for me to go ahead and say, 'Yes, I want to continue here,' and this and that. But the reality is I didn't have a good year at all. I barely showed what I'm capable of. And so I have to see what's out there."
The 30-year-old big man, acquired from the Atlanta Hawks before February's trade deadline, is averaging 17.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 12 games with Golden State. He missed two weeks with an illness after debuting February 19, an absence he acknowledged was at least partially connected to his postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome diagnosis. Since returning March 7, he has remained in the lineup.
Porzingis is in the final year of a two-year, $60 million contract extension originally signed with the Boston Celtics. He has earned well over $200 million across his career.
One factor that could influence his decision is his relationship with Warriors vice president of player health Rick Celebrini, whom Porzingis has called the best in the business.
"I believe I'm in incredible hands here," Porzingis said. "When you have a really strong staff with somebody like me, maybe that's had some injuries throughout their career, to be in the best hands, it makes a difference for me to stay out there healthy."
Porzingis also cited his eagerness to finally share the floor with Stephen Curry, who is expected to return as early as Sunday against the Houston Rockets, as a factor worth considering.
"Who knows? Maybe we get out there and we can't play together," Porzingis said with a smile. "I don't know. Steph doesn't like to play with me — who knows? So obviously, I have to take that into account. But I think, with the experience that he has and, obviously, myself now at this point in my career, we will click."
Gui Santos expressed excitement about what the pairing could produce.
"You've got Porzingis, who can do whatever he wants in the paint. You've got Steph, who can do whatever he wants in the whole court," Santos said. "I don't know who can guard that."
Despite the uncertainty about his future, Porzingis has embraced his time in the Bay Area.
"Honestly, the team is great here," he said. "The team is great, the city is great, the organization is fantastic. The only thing is the time difference with Europe — it's 10 hours, it's too much. But everything else, I enjoy it here."






