Draymond Green shares questionable take on fines from NBA

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports

Draymond Green shares tone-deaf take on fines from NBA

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 5/24/24

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, never bashful about voicing his opinion, shared a polarizing take on how NBA fines levied against him and others hinder players' ability to maximize their wealth.

"The way we get fined is actually not set up for us to be wealthy after we're done playing," Green said on "The Big Podcast" with Shaquille O'Neal. "If I do something wrong, I lose $100,000? Man, it took my mom four years when I was growing up to make $100,000. And I lose that in a night because what?"

He proceeded to emphasize the point.

"The referee got mad at me, and he didn't like what I said to him, so I lose $5,000 like that? Like, on a tech?" Green asked rhetorically.

“It’s actually not set up for us to be wealthy after we’re done playing.”

-Draymond Green on the NBA’s fines pic.twitter.com/9vCrSc5htm
— The Big Podcast (@bigpodwithshaq) May 24, 2024

Whether Green realized it or not, he was oh-so-close to seeing the bigger point.

According to Spotrac, Green has received 173 technical fouls and faced six suspensions over his NBA career. The fines handed down to him have totaled roughly $3 million.

On the surface, that number might seem excessive, but Green has made an estimated $177 million in career earnings. For him, $3 million dollars is chump change. Furthermore, the fines resulted from his actions on the floor, making the financial losses avoidable.

Put Green's statement in context with the current climate across the country and it sounds even worse. Per USA Today, the average salary in the United States is $59,384. The 12-year NBA veteran surpassed that number by $24 million this season alone.

Green may feel like the fines and suspensions he has received are unfair and it's his right to have that opinion. But if he's hurting for money, that's on him.

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