NBA Reinstates Draymond Green

Warriors forward Draymond Green has been reinstated after missing 12 games during his suspension, NBA executive vice president Joe Dumars announced (Twitter link).

In a statement, Dumars says Green has made progress in counseling sessions since an indefinite suspension was imposed on December 14.

“Green completed steps that demonstrated his commitment to conforming his conduct to standards expected of NBA players,” the statement reads. “He has engaged in meetings with a counselor 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.”

Green is expected to need about a week of preparation before he can start playing again, sources tell ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter link). Green will likely be with the Warriors for Sunday night’s game against Toronto, Wojnarowski adds, marking his first public appearance with the team since the suspension was announced.

Golden State travels to Chicago on January 12, Milwaukee on January 13, and Memphis on January 15, so it appears Green’s return will happen in one of those games.

Green lost $1,847,291 in salary while missing 12 games, which results in an $8.8MM savings for the team, tweets Bobby Marks of ESPN. Golden State’s projected tax bill will be reduced from $192.5MM to $183.7MM.

Green was suspended after striking Suns center Jusuf Nurkic in the head during a December 12 game. He claimed the act was unintentional, but the league cited a “repeated history of unsportsmanlike acts” in announcing the suspension.

The Warriors managed to post a 7-5 record during Green’s suspension, but they remain under .500 and are just a half-game ahead of the Lakers for the 10th spot in the West.

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