Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Draymond Green Almost Retired After Punching Suns' Nurkic

Originally posted on Phoenix Suns on SI | By Donnie Druin | Last updated Jan 8, 2024 1:42 PM ET

A suspension that was supposed to set an example almost ended in retirement.

After missing 12 games, Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green was recently reinstated after striking Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic in December.

Green - notoriously suspended on numerous occasions for similar acts - recently revealed on his podcast that he nearly retired before NBA commissioner Adam Silver stopped him.

"I told him, 'Adam this is too much for me. ... This is too much. It's all becoming too much for me -- and I'm going to retire,'" Green said (H/T ESPN). "And Adam said, 'You're making a very rash decision and I won't let you do that.'

"We had a long, great conversation -- very helpful to me. Very thankful to play in a league with a commissioner like Adam who's more about helping you than hurting you; helping you than punishing you. He's more about the players."

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Green later said he could leave behind the "antics" as he returns to basketball.

The Warriors desperately need Green - a focal point of their team in terms of play and leadership - after starting 17-19 to begin the 2023-24 season.

The Suns themselves probably aren't happy to see Green back on the court so soon.

"I don't know man. I was behind the play. What's going on [with] him, I don't know. Personally, I feel like that brother need the help," Nurkic said following the game.

"I'm glad he [did] not trying to choke me, but at the same time it had nothing to do with basketball. I'm just out there trying to play basketball, they're swinging. ... hopefully whatever he got in his life, it gets better."

The Warriors play Phoenix next on Feb. 10.

This article first appeared on Phoenix Suns on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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