SAN FRANCISCO – The Golden State Warriors got a look at Kristaps Porzingis this spring, and it appears they like what they saw.
League sources confirmed to the Bay Area News Group that Porzingis and the team agreed to a two-year, $40 million extension Monday, just a day before Porzingis was set to enter unrestricted free agency. Porzingis will have a player option for the second year. ESPN’s Shams Charania was first to report the news.
After being traded for Jonathan Kuminga in a blockbuster trade at the February deadline, Porzingis played in just 15 games for the Warriors the rest of the season.
He ended up playing only five total games with Steph Curry — three in the regular season and two more in the play-in tournament — as Golden State sought to examine their superstar’s chemistry with a potential pick-and-roll partner.
The Warriors agreed to a new deal with Al Horford last week, and Porzingis’ deal further solidifies their plans at center, even as Draymond Green will reportedly opt out of his contract and enter free agency. Green’s decision has been linked to Golden State’s reported pursuit of Anthony Davis via trade, in addition to pending free agent LeBron James. Porzingis’ return complicates that possibility in terms of salary cap room and playing time.
As has been the case for the majority of his career, injuries and illness kept Porzingis from consistently being on the floor after joining the Warriors.
Porzingis, who said last year he had been diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, missed two weeks shortly after the trade with a mysterious illness that was never publicly identified.
During his short stint with the Warriors, Porzingis also missed time with Achilles, back, knee and ankle injuries. He did not play a single back-to-back set for Golden State as he finished out a contract that paid him $30.7 million last season.
Turning 31 before training camp begins in September, Porzingis’ offensive effectiveness is now predicated almost exclusively on whether he can make jump shots.
He averaged 16.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game, but he repeatedly mentioned that his shot never felt comfortable and made only 31% of his 3-pointers.