Draymond Green hasn’t appeared in a game since December 12. Green is currently serving an indefinite ban while completing an unspecified set of prerequisites to return, and everyone is wondering when he will be able to play for the Warriors again. 

Green’s punishment is projected to be between 11 and 13 games, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. If this is correct, Green would be able to return between Jan. 5 against Detroit and Jan. 10 against New Orleans. 

However, according to Warriors coach Steve Kerr, Green has yet to return to Golden State’s facilities to work out with the club, so this suspension does not appear to be over in a matter of days, if not a week. 

When asked if he’s kept in touch with Green, Kerr replied, “A little bit.” We texted. But we’ve given him our space, and he’s given us ours.”

To summarize, Green has not been to the facility with the team, and Kerr has no idea what sort of shape he is in or how long it will take him to get back into shape once he returns and begins working out with the team. 

I’m going out on a limb here, but I doubt Green will return in the next several days. I believe we can fairly assume this. Maybe the tail end of the reported 11-13 game timeframe is a possibility. 

The Warriors are surely counting down the days until he returns since, for all the headaches he causes, they are barely surviving without him. 

Golden State is 5-5 without Green, counting the loss to Phoenix in which he was ejected, but even that record is deceiving. Four of the five victories were over Portland (twice), Washington, and Brooklyn. The Warriors weren’t a great team even with Green, but at this point, they need all the help they can get.