Former NBA Champion Issues a Heartfelt Apology to Kristaps Porzingis for Previously Making Insensitive Remarks - I Thought He Had a Tapeworm

Jason Williams is regretful for not recognizing the seriousness of Kristaps Porzingis' health

by Yakshpat Bhargava

Nov 10, 2026

Jason Williams is regretful for not recognizing the seriousness of Kristaps Porzingis' health

Kristaps Porzingis

With Jimmy Butler already expected to miss (most likely) all of the 2026-27 season, the Golden State Warriors had high hopes for Kristaps Porzingis to make a significant contribution. That was reflected in their decision to offer the seven-foot center a two-year, $40 million extension this summer.

However, when reports emerged that the Warriors were withholding payments on Porzingis’ $20 million salary after determining that the 31-year-old was no longer fulfilling his contractual obligations, many criticized him for failing to overcome his injury problems and remain available for his team.

As many were still struggling to understand the seriousness of his health issues, Porzingis announced that he was stepping away from basketball to prioritize his well-being due to an undisclosed medical matter.

That announcement prompted former NBA champion Jason Williams to reconsider his earlier comments, acknowledging that he might have been insensitive when discussing the Warriors big man’s situation.

“We probably (expletive) up. We said he probably sick in a way that he wasn’t sick,” Williams said. “So, hope he gets better, bro. I thought he had a tapeworm. Doctors (expletive) up. I hope Porzingis gets well, bro.”

A Peculiar Career Comes to An End

Although KP6 managed to win an NBA championship, it was clear that he was far from his healthiest when reports emerged that he had been diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS).

Selected 4th overall by the New York Knicks in the 2015 draft, Porzingis was already on his sixth team in 11 seasons. His status for the 2026-27 campaign had been uncertain since late September, when the Warriors announced that he would be out indefinitely because of a health issue and would not travel with the team for training camp.

Golden State Warriors star Kristaps Porzingis (8) warms up before an NBA game.

Now, as he steps away from the sport, it appears his health has deteriorated to the point where continuing to play professional basketball is no longer an option.

And J-Will, who understands the demands of competing at the highest level himself, knows how difficult it can be for a pro athlete to make such a decision.