Draymond Green Drops Honest Quote on Kristaps Porzingis' Absence Amid Warriors Winning Streak

Draymond Green told The Athletic's Sam Amick Thursday that the Golden State Warriors have "moved on" from the absence of center Kristaps Porziņģis amid their ongoing six-game winning streak.

Porziņģis, who signed a two-year extension with the Warriors in June, has yet to play this season due to health issues following a diagnosis of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS).

It's possible, too, that Porziņģis will not return this season as he announced Friday that he will be stepping away from basketball to prioritize his health.

According to Amick, Green said Warriors leadership most recently addressed Porziņģis' absence when speaking to players after a road trip that ended with an Oct. 28 win at the Minnesota Timberwolves.

"They said, 'Hey, guys, we're moving forward,'" Green told Amick. "'Whatever has to be done with that, we'll handle it. But y'all go play.'"

Green continued, per Amick: "Like I said, everybody's moved on. It's a next man up mentality, right? That's an opportunity for Charles Bassey. That's opportunity for Graham Ike to get more minutes and continue to try to elevate his career.

"So you embrace those guys, and you pour into those guys, to try to help them with all that they can be helped with so that they could ultimately help this team. But you can't sit and worry about spoiled milk."

ESPN's Shams Charania and Anthony Slater recently reported the Warriors are no longer delivering salary payments to Porziņģis after "ruling that he is not rendering services."

Bassey, who spent last season between the NBA and G League, first signed with the Warriors in April before inking another one-year deal this offseason. The 26-year-old is now looking to earn more playing time despite missing time with knee tendinitis earlier this season.

Ike, a 24-year-old who went undrafted last spring out of Gonzaga, made his NBA debut with the Warriors after signing a two-way contract with the Warriors in September.

Both players have appeared in seven games amid Porziņģis' absence from the Warriors' 6-3 start. Bassey is averaging seven points and 5.3 rebounds in just under 12 minutes per game, while Ike has averaged five points and 2.4 rebounds in 9.7 minutes.

The Warriors might be looking for a more experienced option at center even if Bassey or Ike earn regular playing time in Steve Kerr's rotation.

The Athletic's Jake Weinbach previously connected the Warriors to a potential interest in the Milwaukee Bucks' Myles Turner, although NBA insider Jake Fischer recently reported Turner is not "high on [the Warriors]' list of potential targets."

The Warriors will look to extend their victory streak to seven games when tipping off their next home game Saturday evening against the Orlando Magic.