The NBA has taken action against Golden State Warriors player Draymond Green for his repeated misconduct this season. As of December 14, 2023, Green faces an indefinite suspension from the league.
According to international media calculations, if Green's suspension lasts fewer than 20 games, he will lose $153,941 per game. If the suspension exceeds 20 games, his per-game loss will increase to $202,922.
The suspension stems from an incident during the December 13 game against the Phoenix Suns, where Green struck Jusuf Nurkić in the face, resulting in a second-level malicious foul and ejection.
This season, Green has been ejected three times, with the previous instance in November for a dangerous "throat lock" move on Rudy Gobert, costing him $769,705 in salary for a five-game suspension.
Since joining the NBA in the 2012-2013 season, Green has been known for his aggressive playing style and fiery temperament. In his 11-year career, he has been ejected 20 times, more than any other active player in the league and second only to Rasheed Wallace's 29 ejections in NBA history.
The Warriors, forced to act due to Green's repeated infractions, reportedly initiated the suspension in collaboration with Green's team and the NBA league, as per multiple U.S. media sources.
While the indefinite suspension will incrementally increase Green's financial losses, it also helps the Warriors save money. According to the rules, 50% of the fine counts towards the team's salary for calculating luxury tax.
Green's salary for the 2023-2024 season is $22.32 million. His previous five-game suspension saved the Warriors $2.6 million in luxury tax.
NBA salary expert Bobby Marks notes that for each game Green is suspended, the Warriors save a minimum of $519,550 in luxury tax.
The Golden State Warriors, among the 30 NBA teams, have paid a total of $502 million in luxury tax, the highest in the league. They also hold the record for the highest single-season luxury tax payment, with $181 million paid last season on a total player salary of $206 million.
Clearly, the Warriors are not overly concerned about the money saved from Green's suspension. The team hopes the suspension serves as a warning to Green, as he is an integral part of their renowned offensive and defensive system.
Green's absences have significantly impacted the team's performance. In the 2016 Finals, Green's suspension for misconduct against LeBron James indirectly led to the Warriors' upset loss to the Cavaliers. Similarly, in the 2022-2023 season, Green's suspension for stepping on Domantas Sabonis resulted in the Warriors' first-round playoff exit.
Following Green's latest suspension, the Warriors lost 113-121 to the Clippers on December 15, suffering a three-game losing streak. Currently, the Warriors stand 11th in the Western Conference with a 10-14 record.
