The Golden State Warriors have gone from 0-3 to 6-3 without getting even a single minute from Kristaps Porzingis this season. The latest win was a 120-100 victory over the Miami Heat , which was the team's sixth straight on the road, and that turnaround gives the Warriors a little bit more breathing room.
But the front office is still facing a lot of huge calls in any deal involving Porzingis. And according to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints , the Warriors have contacted the Milwaukee Bucks , Chicago Bulls , and New Orleans Pelicans about a deal involving Porzingis.
He has been away from the Warriors since training camp and hasn't played or practiced this season at all. The 31-year-old has a disclosed diagnosis of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, also known as POTS. And ESPN's Shams Charania and Anthony Slater reported that he might be leaning toward retirement as well, but there still hasn't been a decision, and there is no timetable for his return.
And that is why these talks are primarily about his contract. The Warriors are looking for someone to help carry them this season, while an acquiring team would have to be comfortable with the possibility that Porzingis never plays a game for them.
Milwaukee might be the most interesting call . Siegel reported that the Bucks are willing to move Myles Turner in a Porzingis deal, but they would want draft capital back in return.
The Warriors apparently see it the other way around. If taking on Turner's contract means sending Porzingis and another player to make this move, they would want Milwaukee to offer something extra to make the deal work. The Warriors reportedly have very little interest in trading Moses Moody , though.
Myles Turner would definitely give Stephen Curry a center who can protect the rim and stretch the floor, but he's owed $28 million next season and also has a $29.1 million player option for 2028-29. That is a very different proposition if the Warriors also have to give up a rotation player or picks.
The Warriors have also contacted Chicago about Jalen Smith . The Bulls, though, haven't shown a willingness to move him in any deal and would prefer to reassess near the trade deadline unless draft capital is included in a deal right now. The Pelicans have been identified as the least concrete of the three possibilities. The Warriors have reportedly contacted the Pelicans, but there hasn't been a player discussed in those talks. So for now, Chicago offers a specific target, while the New Orleans call might be worth revisiting near the trade deadline.
The interest makes a lot of sense when you look at Porzingis' contract. He's owed $20 million this season, but only $3 million of his next season's salary is guaranteed. The Warriors are also withholding his payments while he's away from the team, but his salary still counts against the cap and can be used in a trade.
Siegel also cited a source who said Porzingis could give up more than 60% of his salary in a buyout after a trade. And if that happens, the financial appeal for an acquiring team definitely grows.
Mid-December is definitely a time to watch when players who signed in the offseason become trade-eligible. If I were in the Warriors' front office, I would definitely keep the Turner conversation open, but I wouldn't put Moody or a first-round pick on the table just to get it done early.
The winning streak has bought the Warriors time to find a center who can help Curry in April. If the Bucks and Bulls are still asking the Warriors to pay a premium in December or January, the front office can wait and see what else opens up near the trade deadline.
