Draymond Green considered retiring from the NBA after his recent suspension and commissioner Adam Silver advised him against it, the Golden State Warriors star said on the latest episode of his podcast, “The Draymond Green Show.”
“I told him, 'Adam, this is too much for me,'” Green said in the episode, released Monday. “'It's all getting too much for me and I'm retiring.'”
Green said Silver convinced him to stay in the NBA.
“Adam said, 'You're making a very rash decision and I'm not going to let that happen,'” Green said.
Green, 33, was suspended indefinitely in December after punching Suns center Jusuf Nurkić in the face during the Warriors' game against Phoenix on Dec. 12, the sixth suspension of his NBA career. Green was also suspended for five games in November and one game during the 2022-23 playoffs in April.
The league reinstated Green on Saturday after a 12-game suspension. Green underwent several weeks of counseling and held progress meetings with the league and the Warriors.
“The antics I can put behind me,” Green said.
Green said he and Silver had a long conversation. He praised Silver and said he was “grateful to play with a commissioner like Adam in a league that's more about helping you than hurting you.” Green said he had “twice on the Day” spoke with former Warriors general manager Bob Myers.
“Our relationship goes far beyond him being my general manager,” Green said. “Going through things like this shows what it means to be a true friend.”
Green said he failed the Warriors organization, as well as the NBA and his family. As for what he has learned since his suspension, Green said he is “committed to being an advocate for change” and accepts there is “a place for growth.”
The Warriors are 17-19 and 7-6 since Green's suspension. Golden State plays at home against the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday. In 15 games, Green averaged 9.7 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game on 49 percent shooting from the floor.
Is the retirement comment important?
No. Green is in the first season of a new $100 million contract. The Warriors never expected him to leave. He's back in the building. The ban has been lifted. He is expected to practice and train this week to receive clearance from senior medical decision maker Rick Celebrini as soon as possible. The Warriors are in the top 10 defensively.
They need him on the field to plug leaks and get the team back into the playoffs. As long as he can stay off the banned list, that's the expectation. – Anthony Slater, Warriors beat writer
Was there a podcast comment that was significant?
I found it interesting. Green admitted he needs to stop apologizing for some of his behavior and admitted for the first time that he can give up some of his “antics” and still remain the same fiery player and emotional leader on the court that made him a Hall of Fame performer from that fading Warriors dynasty. This is crucial.
Because the Warriors need everything Green has to offer as a defensive engine, tactical mind and offensive playmaker. But they also can't tolerate any more of the ejections, suspensions or even argumentative distractions in the game. – Slater
Required reading
(Photo: Christian Petersen / Getty Images)