Back to the trend of the day: Warriors explore trade options for Kristaps Porzingis, who is out indefinitely

Poly Rating · from the trend of the day

Warriors Porzingis Trade: 10 Hardest NBA Contracts 2026

Porzingis is out indefinitely, yet only $3M of his $20M salary for next season is guaranteed, which makes his deal one of the easier ones to move; the real wall is Embiid, owed $187.9M after playing 57 games in two seasons.

No. 1: Joel Embiid
10 places
Current as of October 22, 2026, 00:51 EDT

01Final list

The leading AIs each built their own list of ten independently. Here is one result that is easy to check: every place has a reason, a source, and the list of AIs that included it.

Order: from most to least AI agreement.

A bright badge means this AI put the entry on its list. A dim badge means it did not.

1
Joel Embiid
He is owed $187.9M over three years, with a player option in 2028-29, and has played 57 games in the last two seasons. He is No. 1 on the CBS and theScore worst-contract lists.
Included it: Claude, ChatGPT, Meta, Gemini, MiMo, StepFun, DeepSeek, Qwen. Did not include: Nova, Wenxin, Kimi.
In their lists: Claude: 1 · ChatGPT: 2 · Meta: 2 · Gemini: 2 · MiMo: 1 · StepFun: 2 · DeepSeek: 1 · Qwen: 2
What each AI noted 8
- Claudeplace 1
  He has played 76 of a possible 246 games over three seasons, and $187.9M over three years is the biggest bill on any 'worst contract' list.
- ChatGPTplace 2
  An MVP-level ceiling sits beside a contract with $120.848 million guaranteed across the seasons displayed in the 2026–27 salary table.
  Source ↗
- Metaplace 2
  $58M extension year 1 of 3yr $193M starts now, only 58 games total past two seasons, 49% career games missed
  Source ↗
- Geminiplace 2
  A supermax extension scaling past $60 million annually collides with chronic knee maintenance, requiring trading partners to wager entire payrolls on an unpredictable postseason hinge.
- MiMoplace 1
  The 187M extension signed in 2024 only starts now — for a player averaging 40.8 games a season over 12 years.
  Source ↗
- StepFunplace 2
  The most guaranteed money in the league attached to a body that has missed roughly half its games: $187.9M owed, 490 games played in 12 seasons.
  Source ↗
- DeepSeekplace 1
  $187.9M fully guaranteed, and he has played 57 of 164 games over the last two seasons.
- Qwenplace 2
  A $55M supermax anchor with chronic knee issues, trapped in second-apron hell.
  Source ↗
8 AIs put it here
Source ↗
2
Kristaps Porzingis
He is out indefinitely with POTS and may retire, yet only $3M of next year's $20M is guaranteed. The barrier is his health, not the money.
Included it: Claude, ChatGPT, Meta, Gemini, Nova, MiMo, DeepSeek, Qwen. Did not include: StepFun, Wenxin, Kimi.
In their lists: Claude: 10 · ChatGPT: 1 · Meta: 5 · Gemini: 6 · Nova · MiMo: 7 · DeepSeek: 7 · Qwen: 1
What each AI noted 8
- Claudeplace 10
  He is out indefinitely and might retire, yet the deal is among the easiest here to move: $20M this year, with only $3M of next year's $20M guaranteed.
  Source ↗
- ChatGPTplace 1
  The contract looks like $20 million of trouble today, but only $3 million of its reported $20 million second-season salary is guaranteed.
  Source ↗
- Metaplace 5
  $20M this year only $3M guaranteed next July 7, out indefinitely POTS, 32 games last season and retirement talk
  Source ↗
- Geminiplace 6
  Sidelined indefinitely due to POTS and considering his playing future, his $20 million deal functions primarily as non-court ballast that requires sweetener picks to re-route.
- Nova
  Named differently in its own list: open the full list.
- MiMoplace 7
  20M for a player 'seriously contemplating his future in basketball' — yet the structure means Golden State still has to attach picks to move him.
  Source ↗
- DeepSeekplace 7
  $20M expiring and only $3M guaranteed next season — the contract is easy; the health is not.
  Source ↗
- Qwenplace 1
  Out indefinitely with POTS, his $20M cap hit scares partners despite only $3M guaranteed in 2027-28.
  Source ↗
8 AIs put it here
Source ↗
3
Paul George
He earns $54.1M this season plus a $56.6M player option at 37, and has missed 86 games in two seasons. Philadelphia added picks to move him to Boston in the Jaylen Brown deal.
Included it: Claude, Meta, Gemini, MiMo, StepFun, Kimi. Did not include: ChatGPT, Nova, DeepSeek, Wenxin, Qwen.
In their lists: Claude: 3 · Meta: 1 · Gemini: 3 · MiMo: 2 · StepFun: 10 · Kimi: 3
What each AI noted 6
- Claudeplace 3
  He has missed 86 games over two seasons, and Boston took on $110.7M over two years plus a player option at age 37.
  Source ↗
- Metaplace 1
  $54.1M + $56.6M player option at 36, Bleacher Report's No.1 most overpaid in 2026-27 at 32.8% of cap
  Source ↗
- Geminiplace 3
  Committed through his age-37 season at over $54 million per year, his four-year pact leaves virtually zero margin for any acquiring team operating near luxury tax boundaries.
- MiMoplace 2
  Boston didn't trade for Paul George — he was the toll for getting off Jaylen Brown's contract, and his 56.6M option is already picked up.
  Source ↗
- StepFunplace 10
  Boston just absorbed $54.1M plus a $56.6M player option for a player whose last two seasons were 41 games and a March 25 season debut — and it took Jaylen Brown and four picks to move the contract at all.
  Source ↗
- Kimiplace 3
  Boston flipped Jaylen Brown and still ended up with the harder contract to move — 2 years, $110.7M for a 36-year-old who has missed 86 games over the last two seasons.
  Source ↗
6 AIs put it here
Source ↗
More about the top three ↓
4
Zion Williamson
He is owed $87.05M over two years, but his 62 games last season made him tradeable again. Sources disagree on whether 2027-28 is fully guaranteed.
Included it: ChatGPT, Gemini, MiMo, StepFun, Kimi, Qwen. Did not include: Claude, Meta, Nova, DeepSeek, Wenxin.
In their lists: ChatGPT: 3 · Gemini: 5 · MiMo: see list · StepFun: 4 · Kimi: 9 · Qwen: 3
What each AI noted 6
- ChatGPTplace 3
  Two listed seasons carry $87.053 million in guaranteed money, making his availability history relevant to a very large commitment.
  Source ↗
- Geminiplace 5
  Though conditioning de-escalators protect against guaranteed payouts, his $40 million base cap figure remains an immovable financial anchor for apron-restricted contenders.
- MiMo
  Named differently in its own list: open the full list.
  see list
- StepFunplace 4
  $87M guaranteed across two seasons for a player who has missed about 52% of his career games — and whose contract only got safer for him because he kept hitting games-played triggers.
- Kimiplace 9
  A contract designed to be untradeable: $87M over two years with game-count and weigh-in triggers, and the league still wouldn't touch him this summer.
  Source ↗
- Qwenplace 3
  Missed his entire 2021-22 season and over half his possible career games while on a max deal.
  Source ↗
6 AIs put it here
Source ↗
5
Trae Young
Washington guaranteed him $212.8M over four years after he played 15 games last season. Atlanta's best return for him was McCollum and Kispert. Sources disagree on which year holds his player option.
Included it: Claude, MiMo, StepFun, DeepSeek, Kimi. Did not include: ChatGPT, Meta, Gemini, Nova, Wenxin, Qwen.
In their lists: Claude: 2 · MiMo: see list · StepFun: 6 · DeepSeek: 2 · Kimi: 2
What each AI noted 5
- Claudeplace 2
  He played 15 games last season and is owed about $212.8M over four years.
- MiMo
  Named differently in its own list: open the full list.
  see list
- StepFunplace 6
  Four years and $212.8M committed to a guard who averaged 17.9 points last season — roughly an $18M-a-year gap between the contract and his modeled market value.
- DeepSeekplace 2
  Four years and $212.8M for a guard who played 15 games last season — after being salary-dumped months earlier.
- Kimiplace 2
  Paid $212.8M over four years — the 11th-most money owed in the league — six weeks after his nonexistent trade market let Washington acquire him for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert.
  Source ↗
5 AIs put it here
Source ↗
6
Anthony Davis
He earns $58.5M now plus a $62.8M player option, at 33, after playing 20 games last season. Still, he scored 34 points in his Wizards debut on Oct 21.
Included it: Claude, ChatGPT, MiMo, StepFun, Kimi. Did not include: Meta, Gemini, Nova, DeepSeek, Wenxin, Qwen.
In their lists: Claude: 4 · ChatGPT: 4 · MiMo: 3 · StepFun: 3 · Kimi: 4
What each AI noted 5
- Claudeplace 4
  He was acquired at the February 2026 deadline but never played a game for Washington last season, then scored 34 points in his Wizards debut on Oct 21.
- ChatGPTplace 4
  A $58.457 million salary is difficult to match even before a buyer prices in any availability concerns.
  Source ↗
- MiMoplace 3
  31 of 85 possible games as a Maverick — and Washington now owes him58.5𝑀𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑛𝑑58.5Mthisseasonand62.8M if he opts in.
  Source ↗
- StepFunplace 3
  $58.5M for a 33-year-old who played 20 games last season and is asking for a four-year, $275M extension — the highest per-season salary on this list with the least recent proof.
  Source ↗
- Kimiplace 4
  Two teams in 12 months traded for him while he was hurt — $58.5M this season plus a $62.8M player option for a 33-year-old who played 20 total games in 2025-26.
  Source ↗
5 AIs put it here
Source ↗
7
Ja Morant
He played 79 games in three seasons, and Memphis could only swap him for Jerami Grant's contract. He is owed $87.1M over two years, though SportsGrid lists five years and $197.2M.
Included it: Claude, MiMo, DeepSeek, Kimi. Did not include: ChatGPT, Meta, Gemini, Nova, StepFun, Wenxin, Qwen.
In their lists: Claude: 5 · MiMo: 6 · DeepSeek: 4 · Kimi: 8
What each AI noted 4
- Claudeplace 5
  Only 79 games in three seasons, against $87.1M still owed over two years (The Score) or $197.2M over five (SportsGrid).
- MiMoplace 6
  59 games in the two seasons before last, then Memphis swapped him for Jerami Grant's expiring money.
  Source ↗
- DeepSeekplace 4
  Two years and $87.1M is shorter — but 79 games in three seasons is the number that scares teams.
- Kimiplace 8
  Memphis dumped a 27-year-old two-time All-Star for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray — a salary dump on 2 years, $87.1M, with 79 games played in three seasons.
4 AIs put it here
Source ↗
8
De'Aaron Fox
He is healthy, with 72 starts last season, but owes San Antonio four years and $221.7M (ESPN says $229M) next to Wembanyama's max. Moving him would likely cost picks.
Included it: Claude, StepFun, DeepSeek. Did not include: ChatGPT, Meta, Gemini, Nova, MiMo, Wenxin, Kimi, Qwen.
In their lists: Claude: 7 · StepFun: 7 · DeepSeek: 3
What each AI noted 3
- Claudeplace 7
  He is healthy, but $221.7M over four years (31% of the cap) leaves San Antonio little room to extend its young stars.
- StepFunplace 7
  A four-year maximum extension — $221.7M, $229M or $223.1M depending on who is counting — signed by a team that just committed $252M to Wembanyama.
  Source ↗
- DeepSeekplace 3
  $221.7M over four years for a third guard — San Antonio would have to attach draft capital to move him.
3 AIs put it here
Source ↗
9
Domantas Sabonis
He is owed $94.1M over two years and played 19 games last season because of a knee injury. SportsGrid instead lists four years and $186M.
Included it: Claude, DeepSeek, Kimi. Did not include: ChatGPT, Meta, Gemini, Nova, MiMo, StepFun, Wenxin, Qwen.
In their lists: Claude: 8 · DeepSeek: 5 · Kimi: 5
What each AI noted 3
- Claudeplace 8
  He missed most of last season with a knee injury, and the contract length differs by source: 2 years and $94.1M, or 4 years and $186M.
- DeepSeekplace 5
  $94.1M over two years for a center who ranked 73rd of 76 at the rim and played 19 games last season.
- Kimiplace 5
  2 years, $94.1M ($47M per year, 27.8% of cap) for a big man who missed most of last season with a knee injury — and can't be flipped for value the way Davis can.
3 AIs put it here
Source ↗
10
Jakob Poeltl
He has four years and $103.6M left at 31, after missing 93 games in three seasons with back trouble. The length of the deal is the problem, not the size.
Included it: Claude, DeepSeek, Kimi. Did not include: ChatGPT, Meta, Gemini, Nova, MiMo, StepFun, Wenxin, Qwen.
In their lists: Claude: 9 · DeepSeek: 6 · Kimi: 7
What each AI noted 3
- Claudeplace 9
  He has missed 93 games in three seasons and has four years and $103.6M left at age 31.
- DeepSeekplace 6
  $103.6M over four years for a 30-something 7-footer with a back issue and 93 games missed in three years.
- Kimiplace 7
  4 years, $103.6M at ~$28M per year for a center who missed 93 games over three seasons and is losing his closing job to a rookie on a top-heavy payroll.
3 AIs put it here
Source ↗

02More about the top three

The ranking is above. Here is more about the three places at the top: what they are, why they are here, and what is worth knowing.

1Joel Embiid

No. 1 — Joel Embiid. On the lists of 8 of 11 AIs; median place there: 2. A huge guaranteed bill and very limited recent playing time make his contract the toughest to move.

Did you know

In 2024, Embiid became the first NBA player to record at least 70 points, 18 rebounds and five assists in one game. — (voice only)
Source ↗

What it is: A three-year deal with a player option in 2028-29.
Its edge: The largest stated bill and the most games missed among these three.
Who should know: Useful to readers comparing how money and availability can block a trade.

Contract difficulty to trade$187.9M over three years

Wikipedia · Wikidata

Why it is here

Embiid has $187.9 million guaranteed over 3 years, with a player option for 2028-29, according to the contract breakdown. — (voice only)
Source ↗

History

In 2016, after two surgeries on his right foot and missing his first two NBA seasons, Embiid finally made his regular-season debut. He scored 20 points, and the crowd cheered even his missed shots. — (voice only)
Source ↗

Video: From NOTHING to NBA STAR? The Story of Joel Embiid · Handles

Compare the top three ↓

2Kristaps Porzingis

No. 2 — Kristaps Porzingis. On the lists of 8 of 11 AIs; median place there: 6. His health creates trade risk, but only $3M of next season’s $20M is guaranteed.

Did you know

Porziņģis won the NBA All-Star Skills Challenge in 2017, beating a field that included guards and big men. — (voice only)
Source ↗

What it is: A $20M salary next season, with only $3M guaranteed.
Its edge: The smallest guaranteed amount makes the contract easier to move than the other two.
Who should know: Useful to readers weighing health uncertainty against the cost of a contract.

Contract difficulty to trade$3M of $20M guaranteed

Wikipedia · Wikidata

Why it is here

Porziņģis is due $20,000,000 in 2026-27, but only $3,000,000 is guaranteed under the contract terms reported for that season. — (voice only)
Source ↗
After joining Golden State, he appeared in 15 games and missed 16, a sharp availability concern for a player whose salary is being considered in trade matching. — (voice only)
Source ↗

History

In 2019, after a meeting left Knicks officials thinking he wanted out, Porzingis was traded to Dallas. The move sent him to play alongside rookie Luka Dončić. — (voice only)
Source ↗

Keep in mind

As of October 2026, the Warriors said he remained out indefinitely with a health issue and gave no return date. That makes availability the central uncertainty.
Source ↗

What people say

“I’m just going to take a step back, look at the whole picture and then see what’s the best direction for me.” — Kristaps Porziņģis
Source ↗

ChatGPT, Qwen put it first. What they saw in it

ChatGPT: The contract looks like $20 million of trouble today, but only $3 million of its reported $20 million second-season salary is guaranteed.
Qwen: Out indefinitely with POTS, his $20M cap hit scares partners despite only $3M guaranteed in 2027-28.

Video: The Rise, Fall, and Rise Again of Kristaps Porziņģis · NuHoops

Compare the top three ↓

3Paul George

No. 3 — Paul George. On the lists of 6 of 11 AIs; median place there: 3. Large salaries, missed games and a costly player option make his contract hard to move.

Did you know

In Game 5 of the 2014 Eastern Conference finals, George scored 21 points in the fourth quarter against Miami—more than any player scored in the whole game’s other quarters. — (voice only)
Source ↗

What it is: Two large salary seasons, including a player option at 37.
Its edge: Its two-season salary is lower than Embiid’s stated three-year bill.
Who should know: Useful to readers comparing trade difficulty across salary and availability concerns.

Contract difficulty to trade$54.1M + $56.6M player option

Wikipedia · Wikidata

Why it is here

George’s salary is $54.1 million in 2026-27 and $56.6 million in 2027-28, when he has a player option—two large seasons to match in a trade. — (voice only)
Source ↗

Keep in mind

The Brown trade brought George and draft picks to Boston, but the swap was debated: the NBA's analysis notes George is more than six years older and played fewer games over the past five years.
Source ↗

Meta put it first. What they saw in it

Meta: $54.1M + $56.6M player option at 36, Bleacher Report's No.1 most overpaid in 2026-27 at 32.8% of cap

Video: Paul George On Why NOBODY Talks Trash To Kawhi Leonard · The Old Man and The Three

Compare the top three ↓

The top three side by side

	Joel Embiid	Kristaps Porzingis	Paul George
In the AIs' lists	8 / 11	8 / 11	6 / 11
Contract difficulty to trade	$187.9M over three years	$3M of $20M guaranteed	$54.1M + $56.6M player option
Put first by	Claude, MiMo, DeepSeek	ChatGPT, Qwen	Meta

Places with the same number of AIs are ordered by their average place in the AIs' own lists.

03Worth knowing

What the AIs noticed while building the list.

Porzingis's deal is the reverse of Embiid's. Only $3M of his 2027-28 salary is guaranteed, so a buyer could waive him next summer. The obstacle is his health, not the math.

Noticed by:

Included it: Claude, ChatGPT, Meta, DeepSeek, Kimi, Qwen. Did not include: Gemini, Nova, MiMo, StepFun, Wenxin.

01Final list

Joel Embiid

Kristaps Porzingis

Paul George

Zion Williamson

Trae Young

Anthony Davis

Ja Morant

De'Aaron Fox

Domantas Sabonis

Jakob Poeltl

02More about the top three

1Joel Embiid

Did you know

2Kristaps Porzingis

Did you know

3Paul George

Did you know

The top three side by side

More ratings

03Worth knowing

04Questions people ask

05How we counted

1The question

2Why this topic

3Where it applies

4What we looked at

5Who ranked

6How the places were set

06Each AI's own list

What Claude noticed

What ChatGPT noticed

What Meta noticed

What Gemini noticed

What MiMo noticed

What StepFun noticed

What DeepSeek noticed

What Kimi noticed