Draymond Green Return: Everything the Warriors Forward is Doing To Be Able to Play Again

Sacramento Kings v Golden State Warriors

(Photo : Loren Elliott/Getty Images) SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 23: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors takes the court for warm-up before playing the Sacramento Kings in Game Four of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Chase Center on April 23, 2023 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.

ESPN Senior NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski has confirmed that Draymond Green will miss his 11^th straight game as he continues to serve an indefinite suspension handed by the league after yet another unsportsmanlike act early in December.

Warriors fans waiting for a better Draymond can rejoice though as he is allowed to return to the team's training facility as he undergoes a series of personal development to be able to return.

Fresh from completing a five-game suspension for choking Minnesota Timberwolves nemesis Rudy Gobert, Green figured in another controversial play, this time against Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic whom he slapped during one play in the third quarter.

The league handed him an indefinite suspension, his 18^th in his career and the most for any active players, for the infraction. The NBA added that Green can only return if he meets certain league requirements and team conditions.

It was unclear what the terms of the suspension were but insider Shams Charania's report revealed that it would be at least three weeks and that he would have to undergo counseling.

NBA great and league's executive vice president and head of basketball operations Joe Dumars said the weight of suspension was affected by the two-time Defensive Player of the Year's "repeated history of unsportsmanlike acts."

Counselling has started

People close to Green were mum about the nature of his counselling but an ESPN report last week that the process has already commenced.

He has participated in virtual meetings with the league, the Warriors, and players union officials as part of his suspension's requirements.

This report is a follow up on Steve Kerr's December 14 comments about the help that his player needs.

"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."

Interestingly, Green does not forget how to have fun as he was spotted in Lebron James' party wearing a costume.

Green has been away from the game for more than two weeks now but he is yet to make a public appearance.

The last one was when he faced reporters and apologized to Nurkic for his behavior.

"He was pulling my hip and I was swinging away to sell the call- made contact with him. As you know I'm not want for things I have meant to do but I do apologize to Jusuf because I didn't intent to hit him," he said.

Before the Nurkic incident, after he was suspended for choking Gobert, he insisted that he was not going to change the way he plays.

Right now, the Warriors look good without him. Curry and the band are enduring his absence, winning six of their last ten. They also won five of the first six games after the announcement of Green's suspension.