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Former Celtics Champion Makes Major Announcement About His NBA Future
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- Former Celtics Champion Makes Major Announcement About His NBA Future
Former Celtics Champion Makes Major Announcement About His NBA Future originally appeared on NESN . Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
Kristaps Porzingis is stepping away from basketball as he prioritizes his health, leaving his NBA future uncertain.
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The former Boston Celtics center shared an official statement Friday announcing his decision after his body did not respond as he expected while ramping up for the 2026-27 season.
Porzingis made it clear that he had hoped to play alongside his current group this season but does not believe he is physically ready to perform at the level he expects of himself.
The announcement follows several weeks of uncertainty surrounding Porzingis' availability with the Golden State Warriors. He has yet to appear in a game this season after being ruled out indefinitely because of a health issue. He also missed significant time last season, appearing in just 32 games between the Atlanta Hawks and Warriors.
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Porzingis' statement did not officially declare his retirement, but it raises questions about whether he will play in the NBA again.
The 31-year-old also acknowledged his situation with Golden State, saying he wants to show respect for the organization and work with the Warriors to find a solution that makes sense.
His announcement comes after reports surfaced that Golden State was exploring potential trade options involving the veteran center. The Warriors also reportedly stopped making payments on his $20 million salary while he remains away from the team.
Porzingis joined Golden State ahead of the 2026-27 campaign after spending part of last season with the Warriors following a midseason trade from Atlanta.
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His NBA career has included stops with the New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks, Washington Wizards, Celtics, Hawks and Warriors. He became an All-Star with New York in 2018 before eventually finding championship success in Boston.
The Celtics acquired Porzingis in a three-team trade ahead of the 2023-24 season. He played a significant part in Boston's championship run, averaging 20.1 points and 7.2 rebounds per game during the regular season. Although injuries limited his availability in the playoffs, he helped the Celtics capture their 18th NBA championship in 2024.
Porzingis' latest announcement puts his playing career on hold as he focuses on his health. Whether that means the end of his NBA career remains to be seen.
