Kristaps Porzingis has announced his retirement from the court through a recent statement.
The center has wished to bid farewell to everyone, and especially to the Warriors, where he admitted that he is not at the physical level demanded by a competition like the NBA.
After re-signing this summer for 2 years and $40 million, he was supposed to be ready to return.
However, far from it. He could not train normally and also could not participate in the preseason due to a rare syndrome he suffers from.
“I was very eager to face this new season with the group, but as the intensity increased, my body did not respond as I expected.
I am fine, but I know what it takes, and I am not at the point I would want to be to perform at the level I demand of myself. Therefore I have decided to prioritize my health and step away from the sport I love so much.
In light of this situation I want to show the utmost respect to the Warriors and work together to find an appropriate solution.
I thank my family and loved ones for always being by my side. Thanks to everyone for your support.
We move forward,” Porzingis said.
🙏🏼 https://t.co/d0UoELOmye
— Kristaps Porzingis (@kporzee) November 6, 2026
Porzingis concludes a ten-season NBA career across the Knicks, Mavericks, Wizards, Hawks and ultimately the Warriors.
In total he has played 533 official games with averages of 19.5 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in 30.3 minutes per game.
The First Unicorn
Porzingis was dubbed the first unicorn in the NBA.
The nickname was given by Kevin Durant in 2016 because his style of play reflected a perfect hybrid between a small forward and a center despite his 2.18 meters in height.
Until now, we had seen very few players with such abilities, with the exception of the legendary Ralph Sampson.
KP moved with ease both inside and outside the paint. He knocked down threes, grabbed rebounds, dominated defensively, blocked shots… A countless array of skills that fell to the New York Knicks under Phil Jackson.
The legendary Bulls and Lakers coach decided to lead the Knicks’ front office between 2014 and 2020, and he hit the mark with Porzingis, formed in Sevilla of the ACB League.
Since he was selected 4th overall in the 2015 Draft, he shone for a highly media-driven franchise.
So much so that a couple of years after his arrival, they decided to trade their franchise player, Carmelo Anthony, to the Oklahoma City Thunder led by Russell Westbrook.
It is worth noting that health has not always accompanied him throughout his NBA career.
After the Knicks he left on a trade to Dallas, and from there to the Wizards, Celtics, Hawks and a final brush of the Warriors.
We could say that injuries have always hampered his game.
His peak came with 72 games played in his rookie season. And since then, it has been downhill with no brakes until an early retirement due to the POTS syndrome he suffers from (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome).
It is worth noting that he was included in the 2016 All-Rookie First Team; he was also an All-Star in 2018 and a NBA champion with the Celtics in 2024.
