Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green is actively participating in a series of virtual meetings as part of his journey toward reinstatement following his indefinite NBA suspension, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
These sessions, which include representatives from the team, the NBA, and the National Basketball Players Association, are crucial in assessing Green’s progress in addressing issues that led to his violent conduct on the court.
Green was indefinitely suspended on December 13th after an incident involving Phoenix Suns’ Jusuf Nurkic. Wojnarowski reported that Green’s agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, Warriors General Manager Mike Dunleavy Jr., team trainer Rick Celebrini, and officials from the NBPA and NBA are actively involved in these meetings.
The NBA stated that Green must meet “certain league and team conditions” before his suspension can be lifted. This unique, open-ended suspension was crafted collaboratively by the NBA, NBPA, the Warriors, and Green following a series of violent episodes involving Rudy Gobert of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Nurkic.
While Green is allowed to participate in conditioning and practice with the Warriors, his regular return to the team’s facility is not expected until early January. It’s generally believed that his suspension could last between 11 to 13 games, depending on his progress and any potential setbacks.
The Warriors have been playing without Green for seven games, a period in which they’ve secured five victories. This season, the first of his four-year, $100 million contract, sees Green forfeiting $153,941 for each game he misses due to suspension. After the initial five games of his suspension, Green became eligible to be placed on the suspended list, which allows the Warriors to sign a replacement player, though the team has not indicated any plans to do so.
Green has faced ejection three times this season, including a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers for earning two technical fouls. He has been suspended six times throughout his career, and the Warriors previously suspended him in the preseason last year after an altercation with then-teammate Jordan Poole.
A pivotal figure in the Warriors dynasty alongside Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, Green’s contributions have been significant, including a Defensive Player of the Year award in 2017.