Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green is being reinstated by the NBA. Green is set to make his return to the court in the 2023-24 NBA season after serving a 12-game suspension. The suspension resulted from an altercation with Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic on December 12. Green hit Nurkic in the face.
For that act (and others) the NBA had initially suspended Green indefinitely; however, that changed and the league has now opted to reinstate him.
Before Being Reinstated, Green Had Sought Help
During his suspension, Green engaged in counseling. He also participated in meetings with both his team and the NBA as a way to demonstrate the progress he’s made. Going forward, he will be required to continue regular check-ins.
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The NBA was satisfied that Green was demonstrating a commitment to conform his conduct to the standards expected of NBA players. The counseling sessions and multiple meetings with representatives from the league, the Warriors, and the National Basketball Players Association seem to have satisfied those in charge. Now the question is whether anyone can trust that Green is contrite enough to actually change. Can he act within the player standards the NBA has outlined?
As the ongoing meetings continue during the season, the emphasis will be on maintaining any positive progress Green has exhibited in his brief time away from the court.
It Isn’t Clear Right Now When Green Could Play Again
The suspension, which began on December 14, was expected to sideline Green for a longer time. However, it would seem he could return around January 10th against the New Orleans Pelicans. Oddly, the suspension did not have a specific minimum or maximum number of games attached to it. Joe Dumars, the NBA’s executive vice president and head of basketball operations, was front-and-center with the decision.
After their win against the Orlando Magic on January 2, Warriors coach Steve Kerr was uncertain about the time it would take Green to ramp up once again. Green is back in the practice facility working to get up to speed. Kerr also indicated that his communication with Green had been ongoing. However, he also didn’t go into a long update on Green’s status.
Green likely needs about a week of preparation before he’s able to return to the court. The Warriors will play the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday, January 13. Perhaps that’s a good time for him to come back. His defense will be needed.
During the time Green was away. The Warriors put up a winning record of 7-5. However, lineup changes made during his suspension raise questions about how or where he might fit into the team’s lineup moving forward. Might that say anything about the team’s expectations for Green?
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