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Kendra AndrewsESPN
SAN FRANCISCO — Warriors forward Draymond Green will rejoin the team on Thursday, coach Steve Kerr said after Golden State’s preseason win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday night.
Green has been away from the team since an altercation with teammate Jordan Poole last Wednesday. He has been fined but not suspended, although it has been considered.
“This is the biggest crisis we’ve had since I’ve been the coach here,” Kerr said. “It’s really serious. We’re not perfect. … But we’re going to rely on the experience we have together and believe this is the best decision for our team. We still have a lot of work to do. . All of us.”
Kerr said he expects Green to play in the Warriors’ final preseason game on Friday, and he will also play on opening night in October. 18.
In addition to Stephen Curry and other players, Poole was consulted in the decision-making process — he was punched by Green in practice. Poole had several meetings with Cole and management and Green. Kerr said Poole was “willing to move on and be willing to get back on the court with Draymond to work.”
Green apologized to Poole and the team before practice on Thursday, before leaving the facility immediately to go home.
On Friday, a video was leaked showing the incident. In a video posted by TMZ, Green can be seen walking towards Poole, who responded by shoving the Warriors veteran. Green then hit Poole, knocking him out before a couple of guys on the practice range stepped in to break it. There is no video showing what caused the incident.
Kerr, general manager Bob Myers and Green all said the feud did not stem from the two players’ upcoming and ongoing contract negotiations.
The video prompted Green and the Warriors to agree that he should spend more time away from the team. He made a public apology on Saturday and announced he would be leaving the team indefinitely.
“There is no other way: [Our] The culture has been destroyed by this event,” Cole said. “You have to work hard to fix it.
Kerr expressed confidence that Green will be able to repair the bridge he has damaged, but acknowledged that young players with no ties to Green face new challenges. Going forward, Kerr said he will pay close attention to how young and new players perceive Green and how he coaches them.
“He broke our trust, but I gave him the benefit of the doubt because I think he earned that,” Kerr said.