Golden State Warriors

Report: Draymond Green expected to miss at least 3 more weeks as he takes big personal step

Published by
Mike Battaglino

Draymond Green reportedly will be out for at least another three weeks as he undergoes counseling while serving an indefinite suspension handed down by the NBA last week.

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green has started counseling and is expected to remain sidelined via suspension for at least the next three weeks, league sources said,” wrote Shams Charania of The Athletic.

The former All-Star was suspended for a second time this season on Dec. 13 after hitting Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic in the face during their game the night before.

According to the league, the indefinite length of the ban took into account Green’s “repeated history of unsportsmanlike acts.

Those include a five-game suspension he served earlier in the season after putting Rudy Gobert of the Minnesota Timberwolves in a chokehold during their game on Nov. 14.

Green must satisfy certain conditions before he is allowed to return to game action. He, Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. and the NBA reportedly all were involved in determining the terms of the current suspension and his possible return.

“League sources said the 33-year-old was expected to receive counseling and work with the Warriors and NBA while suspended,” wrote Charania. “People around Green and the organization said the four-time NBA champion has been understanding and prepared to undergo the process required to return to the team in a full capacity. Those sources would not reveal the specifics of Green’s counseling out of respect for his privacy.”

Though the organization — including head coach Steve Kerr and teammate Stephen Curry — has backed Green publicly, there is a chance the Warriors may ultimately decide to move on from him. Considering that, a popular sportsbook has posted odds on his next destination, with the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers among the favorites to possibly add the troublesome star.

Green has been suspended six times during his 12-season career. Arguably the most noteworthy ban came during the 2016 NBA Finals. After hitting Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James in the groin in Game 4, Green was suspended for Game 5 based on the flagrant foul points he had accumulated.

The Warriors at the time held a 3-1 lead in the series and were on the verge of winning a second consecutive championship, but they did not win another game and are still the only team to blow such a lead and lose the NBA Finals.

In addition, Green spent time away from the Warriors prior to the start of last season after punching then-teammate Jordan Poole during practice. Poole is now with the Washington Wizards.

The Warriors have won two of three games without Green during his current absence and will take a 12-14 record into their home game against the Boston Celtics on Tuesday. They will be trying to stay in the playoff race until whenever one of their top players is able to return.

Mike Battaglino

Mike is a veteran journalist who has focused on New York sports. He has covered the NBA and NFL for almost three decades and is still waiting for the next championship for the Knicks and Jets.

Published by
Mike Battaglino

Recent Posts

Report: NBA GM believed Grizzlies would have had to shop Ja Morant this summer before they fired Taylor Jenkins

Earlier on in the year, long before the Memphis Grizzlies dismissed Taylor Jenkins after he…

7 hours ago

Ja Morant opens up about Grizzlies firing Taylor Jenkins: ‘It’s tough for me’

Guard Ja Morant suited up for the first time since the Memphis Grizzlies fired Taylor…

1 day ago

Tyrese Haliburton on ‘easy decision’ to name SGA MVP: ‘If you took a player poll, I’m sure he would win’

Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has a compelling case to win this season's MVP…

2 days ago

Report: ‘Early expectation’ is that Clint Capela will sign elsewhere this summer

Big man Clint Capela is in his fifth season playing for the Atlanta Hawks, and…

4 days ago

Stephen A. says LeBron is in his feelings: ‘Could it be because I don’t believe you’re the G.O.A.T.?’

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith claimed on Wednesday that if his confrontation with Los Angeles Lakers…

5 days ago

LeBron James reflects on 2007 Cavs roster that he took to NBA Finals: ‘How is that possible?’

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James recently reflected on the 2006-07 Cleveland Cavaliers and their…

6 days ago