Draymond’s Fresh Start

01/10/2024

By: Jeff Yoder

Warriors’ Draymond Green Set to Return After 3-Week Suspension, Therapy & Revelations

Our last big story of 2023 took a look at Draymond Green’s growing reputation as the NBA’s most-ejected player. He ranks 2nd all-time in ejections in NBA history (20). His swinging fist against Suns’ center Jusuf Nurkic landed him a third ejection in the first month of the 2023-24 season, and ultimately landed him an indefinite suspension by the league. Three weeks later, Draymond is reinstated, and there’s a story to tell.

A Fresh Start for Draymond

Plenty was made of Green’s three-week absence over the holidays, including conversations with NBA commissioner Adam Silver and a tear-jerking moment with Warriors’ head coach Steve Kerr. Green spoke about these moments on his podcast “The Draymond Green Show,” claiming Silver talked him out of retirement. Green also said he and Kerr both cried when Kerr visited him during his suspension. He underwent an extensive counseling program over the past three weeks, too.

“We had a long, great conversation — very helpful to me. Very thankful to play in a league with a commissioner like Adam who’s more about helping you than hurting you; helping you than punishing you. He’s more about the players.” — Draymond Green

Draymond was reinstated by the league on Saturday, and he’s been practicing this week. The Warriors host the Pelicans tonight (8:30 pm ET, ABC), and it looks like Green will be ready. Whether he starts or plays limited minutes is TBD. But we do know one thing — the fiery version of Draymond Green is likely to be more tame moving forward. His NBA future depends on it.

SI: Draymond Green Says He Didn’t Deserve Applause From Warriors Teammates at First Practice Back

Photo: Takashi Aoyama / Getty Images