Golden State Warriors: Extended time off will help Draymond Green

The NBA’s extended rest period for teams like the Golden State Warriors will help Draymond Green more than any other individual player.

It’s official. NBA basketball will be returning on July 31. While 22 teams undergo prep for the remaining eight games of the season and upcoming playoffs, the Golden State Warriors and Draymond Green will be enjoying an extended rest period.

Unless something drastic happens, a champion will be crowned by October 12. Three days later, the 2020 NBA Draft will occur. Shortly after that, a free agency period will begin before all 30 teams start all over again in training camp as the league targets December 1 for next season to tip-off.

This means Green will have nearly 10 months of rest from now until the start of next season. The last time Green appeared in a game was February 27 but he has been in and out of the Warriors lineup for most of the year as the team utilized any excuse to sit him.

It became increasingly clear throughout the season that Green had no interest in playing for a lottery team. The Warriors stumbled out the gate to a 5-24 record as Green’s motivation plummetted with the team’s standings.

As a result, Green had one of his worst statistical campaigns to date. Averaging only 8.0 points per game on below 40 percent shooting marked a new low for the former Defensive Player of the Year.

There is no doubt that competing in five straight NBA Finals had an effect. He is lucky to not have suffered a major injury similar to that of Stephen Curry or Klay Thompson but it’s evident that Green is in need of some rest.

While the overall situation that has caused the Warriors to be dormant until December is unfortunate, it is incredibly lucky for Green that he will be granted so much time to recover. His body will benefit greatly from this extended time off and it’s possible we see a resurgence from Green next season.