Draymond temporarily stepping away after Poole punch: 'I failed as a man'
Draymond Green is taking time away from the Golden State Warriors after punching teammate Jordan Poole during Wednesday's practice.
"I've been away," Green told reporters Saturday, according to NBA.com's Mark Medina. "I will continue to do work on myself. And continue to give guys space."
Golden State head coach Steve Kerr said the decision to step away was "mutual" between Green and the team.
Green hasn't been with the club since the incident. The Warriors initially expected the 32-year-old to return to practice Saturday. General manager Bob Myers said Thursday that he didn't expect Green to receive a suspension and that the team would handle any discipline internally.
Footage of Green striking Poole after the two briefly went face to face leaked Friday. The forward said it was "bullshit" that the video became public but conceded the punch was worse than he initially thought after watching the clip.
"I failed as a leader, I failed as a man," Green said.
Green added that he expects to play in the Warriors' regular-season opener on Oct. 18 against the Los Angeles Lakers. However, the veteran added that actually seeing the floor is "a completely different story and something we will figure out."
Kerr said there's "no set date" for Green's return to the organization, per The Athletic's Anthony Slater.
The forward also publicly apologized to Poole and his family, as well as his teammates.
"I was wrong for my actions that took place on Wednesday. ... For that, I have apologized to my team. I have apologized to Jordan," Green said.
Green added that he was mentally in a bad place at the time of the incident, according to The Athletic's Marcus Thompson II.
Green's actions were reportedly influenced by his and Poole's contract situations. Both players are eligible for extensions this season; Poole is expected to receive an offer, while Green is not.
Green didn't reveal the source of the issue Saturday but said it was unrelated to their contracts.