Golden State Warriors saved WHOPPING $8.8 million after Draymond Green’s 12-game suspension

Draymond Green is back after serving an indefinite suspension imposed by the NBA for violent conduct.

Golden State Warriors saved WHOPPING $8.8 million after Draymond Green’s 12-game suspension

Draymond Green (via NBC Sports)

The NBA reinstated Draymond Green, the seasoned guard for the Golden State Warriors, on Saturday. Green had faced an indefinite suspension from the league due to a “repeated history of unsportsmanlike acts,” following his aggressive encounter with Phoenix Suns’ Jusuf Nurkic on December 12. After sitting out a total of 12 games, he is now back in action.

The NBA said after the lifting of the ban that Green,

Completed steps that demonstrated his commitment to conforming his conduct to standards expected of NBA players. He has engaged in meetings with a counsellor and has met jointly on multiple occasions with representatives of the NBA, the Warriors, and the National Basketball Players Association, both of which will continue throughout the season.
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As per Sportrac, Draymond Green inked a lucrative 4-year, $100,000,000 deal with the Golden State Warriors, ensuring $100,000,000 in guaranteed money and an annual average salary of $25,000,000. Specifically, for the 2023-24 season, Green’s base salary stands at $22,321,429. However, due to his ejection from the Golden State Warriors-Phoenix Suns game, he incurred a $6,000 fine.

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Additionally, his actions, including striking Jusuf Nurkic in the face, led to a forfeiture of $1,847,292 for the 12 games he sat out. Remarkably, these incidents resulted in a notable drop in the Dubs’ projected tax bill from $192.5 million to $183.7 million, translating to substantial savings amounting to $8.8 million.

Draymond Green is anticipated to be ready for selection as the Warriors prepare to host the New Orleans Pelicans at the Golden 1 Center in their upcoming game on January 11th.

Draymond Green contemplated retirement after suspension

During his indefinite suspension for violent conduct, Draymond Green contemplated retirement from the NBA. It was only after NBA commissioner Adam Silver intervened and urged him to reconsider that Green decided to continue his career. This revelation came during a discussion on his podcast, The Draymond Green Show.

Draymond Green and Adam Silver
Draymond Green (Left) and NBA Commisioner Adam Silver (Right) (Image via Open Source, X)

Draymond Green said:

I just told him, ‘Adam this is too much for me. This is too much. It’s all becoming too much for me, and I’m going to retire.

To this, Commissioner Silver replied: 

You’re making a very rash decision, and I won’t let you do that.

Green went on to praise Commissioner Silver:

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.

Green’s return is crucial for the Golden State Warriors as they aim to make a push for the play-off spots.

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