Kristaps Porzingis expected to be at Warriors' facility on Tuesday
Veteran center Kristaps Porzingis is expected to return to the Golden State Warriors practice facility Tuesday afternoon, according to coach Steve Kerr.
Porzingis has been away from the Warriors for the first two weeks of preseason while attending to what the team is deeming a private "health issue."
It's not immediately clear when the Warriors anticipate Porzingis will return to the court. They will be in Las Vegas for a preseason game Tuesday when Porzingis is expected to arrive at the team's San Francisco facility and meet with Rick Celebrini, its lead medical decision-maker.
Two seasons ago, Porzingis contracted an upper respiratory virus while playing for the Boston Celtics, and he has since vaguely revealed the lingering impact it has had on his health and ability to consistently play NBA basketball.
Porzingis was limited to 34 games last season, split between the Atlanta Hawks and the Warriors, who traded Jonathan Kuminga for him in February. They then re-signed Porzingis to a two-year, $40 million deal this summer.
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The contract was structured strategically to allow the Warriors to trade Porzingis at any point and limit their long-term downside. Only $3 million of the $20 million next season is guaranteed.
Porzingis has been in regular contact with Celebrini and the Warriors' front office the past two weeks while on an indefinite absence, while the front office has told Kerr and the team to focus on the season rather than deal with Porzingis' unclear availability.
In his absence, Kerr said he is leaning toward starting a smaller lineup ofStephen Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Gui Santos, Yaxel Lendeborg and Draymond Green.
