Although multiple reports have suggested Kristaps Porzingis appears to be leaning toward re-signing with the Warriors, he declined to commit to staying with Golden State after Thursday’s loss to Cleveland. The Latvian center is extension-eligible and will be an unrestricted free agent this summer if he doesn’t sign a new deal before then.
“It’s hard to say,” Porzingis told Nick Friedell of The Athletic. “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.”
Health issues have limited Porzingis to just 29 appearances thus far in 2025/26, and he’s averaging a career-low 24.0 minutes per game. He has been very productive when available, but he told The Athletic he’s not close to being at his peak performance.
“For me, I just wanted first to get to decent shape,” Porzingis said. “Take care of that. Which I am kind of working my way into. And then seeing the whole picture, kind of taking a step back, not to put too much pressure on myself. It’s been a year like that, and we’ll see.
“Honestly, the team is great here. I haven’t gotten a chance to play with Steph (Curry) yet, but 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.”
According to Friedell, Porzingis was joking about the time difference, but he was serious about his excitement to play alongside Curry. The 30-year-old big man also continues to praise director of sports medicine and performance Rick Celebrini, and he said the relationship he has built with the training staff will factor into his decision this offseason.
“That’s definitely (something) I have to take into account,” Porzingis told Friedell. “I believe I’m in incredible hands here. And that means something. 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.”
Here are some more notes on players who either will be or could be free agents in 2026:
- Guerschon Yabusele is expected to draw plenty of EuroLeague interest this summer and there has been speculation that’s why he declined his 2026/27 player option ($5.8MM) to facilitate a trade to the Bulls, but the French forward/center said on Friday that his priority is to stay in the NBA, per K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network (Twitter links). “My main goal is to stay in the NBA for sure,” Yabusele said. According to Johnson, the Bulls value Yabusele’s “work ethic and positivity,” which the former first-round pick displayed when he was asked about his erratic role with the Knicks. “I always say, if that was Coach (Mike Brown)’s decision, that was coach’s decision. I just respect it,” Yabusele said. “I worked hard and tried to be the best version of me. Nothing but love for New York.”
- The Nets hold a $6.25MM team option on center Day’Ron Sharpe for next season. He told Brian Lewis of The New York Post he’s unsure what the club has in store for him (Twitter link). “I don’t know. Whatever the team has planned for me, that’s what they’ve got,” Sharpe said. The 24-year-old big man, who has drawn praise from head coach Jordi Fernandez, is recovering from season-ending thumb surgery. He said he plans to continue to work on his body this summer and is eager to add a three-point shot to his arsenal as well (Twitter link via Lewis).
- Longtime center Jonas Valanciunas has been out of the Nuggets‘ rotation of late, but it’s not affecting his attitude in the locker room, writes Bennett Durando of The Denver Post. “I would say he has been as professional as you can be in this situation,” head coach David Adelman said. “And professional in our game means he should be pissed off — and he was — because he wants to play and help the team. Not because it’s about him. … He’s been great on the bench. He’s been great in film sessions. He’s worked out extremely hard. He’s done everything you ask of somebody to do. So I have complete trust in Jonas.” The Lithuanian big man was repeatedly linked to Greek EuroLeague team Panathinaikos last summer and only $2MM of his $10MM salary for next season is currently guaranteed. “I will stay ready. What am I gonna say?” Valanciunas told The Denver Post when asked about Denver going a different direction. “Am I pissed off? … As long as we’re winning the game, you know. I’m here if you need me. I’m here. I’m gonna do everything (I usually do). So it’s simple as that.”
Giannis is coming to the Warriors.
David J 3.0 flag said.
He knows ball
3.0 knows Lucille Ball? #Whoa, time to reevaluate him as a pundit.
KP healthy is built for that system. I just couldn’t trust him to play 65 gms. Or play in playoffs after a yr. Can’t trust him unless it’s at the minimum. Which will never happen. A guy like Vuc can sign for 15 mill or 12. I would even try and sign Simons for 15 mill.
Sharpe has shown to have good upside. He looks like he can get better. Nets definitely bringing him back. I think they can move Claxton and get good value.
KP fits any system that shoots 3s at volume.
Not sure if you’ve noticed be he doesn’t really fit any system that plays basketball more than once every 10 days.
Warriors don’t have cash to splash. Boston have projected $20 mil in space, Vooch isn’t going anywhere.
Anyways…the Fakers should be all over Dort and Mitch Robinson once letting Bron walk, lols. Waive Bron jr asap.
KP is over 30 mill coming off.
I’m no cap expert, but I don’t think it matters how much “comes off”. It’s how much is left. And I think they are over the cap even without KP, and before the cap hold for the new rookie.
It does matter because they can use KP as a sign and trade wherever he goes next. If they don’t take back salary they’ll have a trade exemption and can use that to bring back salary even if they’re over the cap.
KP would have to be expected more than the MLE for this to be a reality and I’m not sure any teams in the NBA are eager to make that deal after the last 2 seasons. Also this isn’t 2k so yes they would have to take salary back if they’re sending it out
Yes new Rook plays into that. I forgot about that. There are other guys they can cut. One yr contracts like Seth. I believe you can go over cap to sign your own FA. I wouldn’t resign KP.
“The only thing is the time difference with Europe — it’s 10 hours, it’s too much. But everything else, I enjoy it here.”
I’ve been saying that Eurohoopers don’t want to be on the west coast. Giannis probably won’t either.
Yabu was a Knicks mistake. Precious needed to come back to New York. Knicks should have gotten both Westbrook and Precious for the MLE. Another summer off-season will be upon us again. Definitely will be interesting what the next moves will be made. Giannis is great but injury prone lately. The Knicks don’t have many assets left and would they really trade Bridges. How would the Captain feel about that.
It’s kat for me that’s gotta go. Good luck with that. Keeping Robinson even with his injury history is a win.
Finding a team that’s willing to absorb that cap hit would be a win. Chicago have so much money potentially coming off their books. I don’t see Chicago giving up a pick though.
Probably have to take back P.Williams.
Easier said that done. Kat gives NY absolutely nothing in the way of low post presence and he’s soft. Five out isn’t working for the knicks.
Aristotle…Giannis also said he dislikes California, overrated and expensive. I would never join forces with elite guys. Rags on LeBron and KD regularly for doing this.
> Eurohoopers don’t want to be on the West Coast.
You’re kidding, right? 60% to 70% of all NBA players, including European players, have residences in California or Vegas and spend the off-season there. Meditaranean climate, nightlife, elite trainers, high-level pickup games, agency head offices, media capital of the world, Silicon Valley, etc.
Wemby and Jokic have huge estates in Vegas. Luka, Zubac, Gasols, Gallinari, etc, etc are in LA. Sabonis, Pachulia, etc are in the Bay Area. Europeans love the West Coast.
> Giannis probably won’t either.
Giannis says he wants to go to a warm-weather climate and an ‘international city”. Ever heard of San Francisco.
Owning property as a rich person is not the same as spending a half season or more over there especially if you’re European. KP said what he said.
How much experience do you have with European families in the USA?
My wife is from Eastern Europe. I know all about the time difference, its impact on families, and how none of them want to live over there.
Just like how Asian baseball players don’t really want to come to the east coast.
It just is what it is. You can cherry pick all you want it’s not going to change anything.
Also all those people you listed, especially Joker, haul ass back to Europe when the season is over.
Wasted an entire off season and about 10 million dollars to get rid of JK just for Tingus Pingus to play 20 games as a Warrior and lose the play in