Draymond Green didn't play in the Warriors' 124-115 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves at Chase Center on Thursday night, but he still made his voice heard.
Earlier in the day, Turner Sports announced Green had agreed to an exclusive multi-year contract where he will appear on "Inside the NBA" and various other programs. His first appearance under the new deal came after the Warriors' fourth straight win.
While host Ernie Johnson and analysts Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley and Shaquille O'Neal were in TNT's studio in Atlanta, Green was in the Warriors' practice gym at Chase Center. At the end of the postgame show, Green playfully trolled Barkley, using Golden State's three recent championship banners to have some fun with the Hall of Fame big man, who never won an NBA title during his playing career.
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Green last played in a game on Jan. 5. Prior to the Warriors' game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Jan. 9, he experienced calf tightness. Because that was the game Klay Thompson was making his return after a 941-day absence, Green was on the court for the opening tip but fouled right away and left the game after seven seconds. Since then, the Warriors announced that Green's calf soreness is related to a disc issue in his lower back. He is set to be re-evaluated Sunday.
Because he is unable to play, Green is using the time to appear on TNT's shows and record his own podcasts.
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While Green had fun with Barkley, the TNT crew got a jab in on the Warriors' star with a skit showing how they were going to remodel the studio for him whenever he shows up in Atlanta.
It's very clear that whenever Green decides to retire from the NBA, his future is with TNT's studio show. The Warriors are hoping the soon-to-be 32-year-old doesn't hang up his sneakers for a while though.
