Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green is reportedly nearing a return to team facilities as he continues to serve his indefinite suspension for repeated acts of on-court violence.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Green will begin "ramping up" his activities despite not having a firm date for a return. He has been away from the team since Dec. 13.
The NBA suspended Green a day after he smacked Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic on the face during a Dec. 12 game. In the statement announcing his indefinite ban, the league cited Green's "repeated history of unsportsmanlike acts." He had served a five-game suspension earlier in the 2023-24 season for choking Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert.
The Warriors, NBPA and Green's representation worked together with the league to devise a protocol for Green's eventual return. Green was ordered to meet with a counselor and attend regular Zoom meetings with league and team officials.
"The one who choked Rudy [Gobert], the one who took a wild flail at Jusuf, the one who punched Jordan [Poole] last year—that's the guy who needs to change," Warriors coach Steve Kerr told reporters. "This is not just about an outburst on the court. It's about his life. It's about someone who I believe in, someone I have known for decades, who I love for his loyalty."
Green's fiery competitiveness has been a hallmark of his career, driving him to four All-Star selections and the 2017 NBA Defensive Player of the Year award while being a critical factor in the Warriors' four championship runs. However, his behavior had grown increasingly erratic over the last year-plus, starting with a training camp altercation with then-teammate Jordan Poole in 2022.
The Warriors have gone 6-4 over their first 10 games without Green but have stumbled to three losses in their last four. Green was averaging 9.7 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game at the time of his suspension.
