By: Matt Anderson

Yesterday, the NBA suspended Warriors Forward Draymond Green indefinitely. This is his fourth suspension since the start of last season. All reporting indicates that the suspension will be similar to the one imposed on Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant last year in that Green will have to meet certain parameters for reinstatement. Given how badly Ja embarrassed the league by immediately repeating the same transgressions, and the fact that Draymond already has a high record of recidivism, I expect his checklist to be much longer and much more intense. So brace for a long absence, Warriors fans.

This, however, is a good thing. Last week, I wrote about how the Warriors were a franchise that needed a big change to become a serious threat again. Draymond was one of the veterans flagged as needing a wake up call. The call for him was not because of his play on the court, but his inability to stay on it. As of this latest suspension, Green had played in 15 of the Warriors' 23 games, and was ejected in 3 of them.

Draymond has always been a habitual line stepper. But before, he combined the fire and intensity that brought him up to the line with his incredible intelligence that kept him from (egregiously) crossing it. But something changed this year. Not only has Green now been suspended twice, and ejected thrice, but he's already committed enough flagrant fouls that he's two points away from another suspension (and a suspension every two points after that).

From a fan's perspective it looks like Draymond's ego has finally gotten the best of him. He punched a teammate with no real repercussions, then, the team not only traded that teammate away, but gave Draymond a new contract using a bulk of the salary space created by that trade. Put differently: he punch Jordan Poole then took his bag. That sent a signal to Draymond loud and clear: you mean too much to us for us to ever hold your bad acts against you. As a result, there is nothing this franchise can do reign him in.

That is where the NBA comes in. By levying this harsh of a punishment, the league is sending a clear signal: enough is enough. Draymond has finally run out of rope with the Commissioner's office. One has to imagine that the next dust up will result in a season-ending suspension, with penalties only escalating after that. And honestly, rightly so.

Draymond's legacy is on the line here. If he hasn't already, anything else from him will put his position on this team in serious jeopardy. As one of the Huddle's esteemed Patreon supporters aptly put it: the juice is no longer worth the squeeze. If the front office is not already looking for a way off the Draymond coaster, one has to believe another incident will be the breaking point. Being ignominiously dumped from the franchise he helped build would be a huge ego blow, especially if the team determines it's better to release him and eat the money than keep him around. And Draymond does not just have his basketball contract to worry about. He's been setting himself up to become the next Charles Barkley after he retires. If he implodes himself out of the league, it's hard to believe the NBA's media partners will be lining up to give him a job.

If Draymond does not see the stakes he has put himself in, or if he does not care enough to change, then there was never any saving him. Hopefully, this will be the wake up call he needs to get himself under control. If it is, then the Warriors will surely benefit from his continued excellence on the court (and actually have him on the court). If not, then at least they will be done with his antics and be able to focus on life post-Draymond.