Stop us if you’ve heard this one before: Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors recently got ejected from an NBA game. We’re not even two months into the season, and it’s already happened three times. Yet this ejection was perhaps his most egregious offense. He essentially did a spinning punch into the face of Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkić. Green received a flagrant foul 2 and was ejected from the game.
The NBA came down with a swift punishment. Operations chief Joe Dumars suspended Green indefinitely, citing his "repeated history of unsportsmanlike acts." Green has been ejected from 18 NBA games, the most among active players. This ongoing trend raises questions about his future and the impact on his team.
The Cost of Green's Actions
Green has played in 15 games this season, and this will be his second suspension of the year. It could prove to be quite costly, too. An indefinite suspension means that there is no fixed end date, and the length will largely depend on Green having enough time to receive proper counseling and assistance.
If Green's suspension lasts less than 20 games, he’ll lose $153,941 per game. If he ends up missing more than 20 games, that penalty goes up to $202,922 per game. This could lead to significant financial losses for Green, affecting not only his earnings but also his endorsements and overall reputation.
Potential Financial Impact
Let’s do a little quick math here. Ja Morant was suspended for 25 games after flashing a gun during an Instagram Live video. Green’s actions are different, but part of Morant’s suspension was due to previous poor behavior. Green certainly has a reputation from his frequent ejections and suspensions, so it’s probably safe to assume he’ll miss at least 25 games, too.
- If he misses 25 games, that would take away $5,073,050 from his earnings.
- If he misses the entire regular season, Green will lose $11,972,398 — nearly $12 million.
Broader Implications for the Warriors
This suspension could impact more than just Green’s earnings; it could also have serious implications for the Warriors as a team. Green has just signed a four-year, $100 million contract to stay with the Warriors. That money is fully guaranteed, but the deal was signed before these latest incidents. If he’s suspended for a long time, maybe the team will look to restructure the contract so he has to pay some of that money back.
Green has already forfeited more than $2.2 million from fines and suspensions throughout his NBA career. That number is about to get a lot higher in a hurry, especially if the Warriors struggle to perform without one of their key players.
Endorsements and Sponsorships at Risk
Additionally, this suspension might impact Green's endorsements. Companies and sponsors could drop out from supporting his podcast or other ventures due to his unsportsmanlike behavior. The financial repercussions could ripple into other areas of his career, leaving him with fewer opportunities to generate income.
As Draymond Green faces these challenges, it serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining professionalism and sportsmanship within professional sports. His actions not only have personal consequences but also affect the entire team and the league.
