Kristaps Porzingis’s health struggles have put more than his future with the Golden State Warriors in doubt. The veteran center is reportedly considering whether he can continue playing basketball, as the Warriors have started to explore trades involving his contract.

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Porzingis could step away from the sport permanently if there is no breakthrough in his recovery. He remains out indefinitely, and there is no clear timetable for his return.

“Golden State has started exploring trade routes for Kristaps Porzingis, who is now seriously contemplating his future in basketball as he deals with recurring symptoms from the autoimmune condition termed as POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome), sources tell ESPN.”

“Porzingis is on a trade-flexible contract for $20 million this season and a small partial next year, serving as essentially an expiring deal that the Warriors can utilize, potentially with their pool of assets. He first revealed his POTS diagnosis last year and has had ups and downs with the issue. If there is no breakthrough in recovery, stepping away from basketball — for good — is possible.”

Porzingis previously revealed a diagnosis of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, commonly known as POTS. The recurring health problems have affected his ability to prepare and play consistently, which adds another chapter to a career that has already been plagued by injuries.

Retirement still has not been announced, and the possibility remains conditional on his recovery. But this is a significant change from the optimism surrounding his return earlier this month.

The Warriors had expected Porzingis to be their starting center after signing him to a two-year, $40 million extension in June. He appeared in 15 of their final 20 games last season and gave the organization reason to believe that he would be able to contribute more regularly.

ESPN’s Anthony Slater reported that Porzingis met with general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. and medical chief Rick Celebrini in San Francisco, but he did not remain with the team afterward as initially expected.

The Warriors subsequently listed him as not fit to travel with the team for its opener against the Los Angeles Lakers. His contract does give the Warriors some flexibility: Porzingis earns $20 million this season, while only $3 million of next season’s $20 million is guaranteed.

ESPN reported that his extension was structured to keep him immediately eligible for a trade. That makes the deal potentially useful as salary in a larger move, especially if the Warriors attach draft picks. It does not mean another team will acquire him expecting immediate production. His availability is still the central question.

For the Warriors, the basketball loss is big, too. Porzingis averaged 16.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.5 assists across 32 games last season. His shooting and size were supposed to give Stephen Curry another offensive partner while easing the frontcourt workload. Now the Warriors must consider how much of their season they can plan around a return that remains uncertain.

But Porzingis faces a much more serious personal decision. His recent message expressed hope that he would feel healthy again, but the latest reports suggest he is confronting what happens if his condition never improves.