The NBA has suspended Ja Morant, the Memphis guard, for a period of 25 games, marking his second ban within a span of four months. Commissioner Adam Silver emphasized the need for Morant to cease his troubling practice of flaunting firearms on social media.
This suspension, applicable to the upcoming season, follows the circulation of a second video featuring Morant displaying a handgun. In the video, Morant is seen holding a gun while seated in the passenger seat of a car. This incident occurred after his eight-game suspension in March, which resulted from a video where he brandished a handgun in a strip club in the Denver area.
Morant, whose salary for this season amounts to approximately $33.5 million, will now face a loss of a little over $300,000 per game, equivalent to approximately $7.5 million in total. Furthermore, he will need to comply with specific conditions before being reinstated, as outlined by the NBA.
Commissioner Silver emphasized his concerns about Morant’s decision-making, describing it as “unsettling.” He expressed particular apprehension regarding the potential influence on other young individuals who might be tempted to imitate Morant’s behavior. Silver stated that the 25-game suspension serves as a clear message that engaging in reckless and irresponsible conduct involving firearms will not be tolerated.
During the suspension period, the NBA announced that Ja Morant would be rendered ineligible for participation in any public league or team activities, including preseason games.
Following the release of the second video, the Grizzlies took the step of indefinitely suspending Morant from all team-related activities. They expressed their acceptance of the imposed penalty for this “latest episode” and emphasized their commitment to upholding the league and team standards.
In a statement released through his representatives on Friday, Morant once again offered his apologies to the NBA, the Grizzlies organization, his teammates, and the city of Memphis. He specifically addressed Commissioner Silver, Grizzlies owner Robert Pera, and Memphis general manager Zach Kleiman, expressing his sincere remorse for his actions.
In addition, the guard, who has his own signature Nike shoe, extended his apologies to the children who view him as a role model, acknowledging that he had let them down. Morant expressed that he has taken the time to reflect on his actions and recognizes the potential harm he may have caused.
“I assure you that I will improve. I will strive to be a better representative for all of my sponsors and brands. And to all of my fans, I will make it right, I promise,” Morant stated.
Morant also mentioned his commitment to continue working on his mental well-being and decision-making processes.
On May 24, authorities conducted a welfare check on Morant after enigmatic messages appeared on his Instagram account, only to be later deleted. The police confirmed that Morant was “fine” and stated that he informed them he was “taking a break from social media.”
“On Friday, Morant expressed his hope for an opportunity to demonstrate his growth and prove himself as a better person than he has portrayed thus far,” Morant stated.
In response to the punishment imposed on Morant by the NBA, Tamika Tremaglio, the executive director of the NBPA, voiced the players association’s belief that the league’s actions were excessive, inappropriate, and deviated from its previous disciplinary practices.
“We will collaborate with Ja to consider all available options and determine the appropriate course of action,” Tremaglio stated in a released statement.
Despite the recent controversy surrounding Morant, Nike has decided to stand by him and continue their partnership. Morant’s Ja 1 shoe line, which debuted earlier this year, remains supported by the company.
Nike expressed their satisfaction with Morant’s accountability and his prioritization of his well-being.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has made his position clear regarding Morant’s actions, emphasizing the severe consequences they carry. Even without facing criminal charges, Morant’s behavior, particularly in the context of rampant gun violence, holds significant weight. As one of the league’s most popular players, his actions send a message that contradicts gun safety.
Silver addressed this matter earlier in the month during the NBA Finals, stating that brandishing firearms, especially when streamed live on social media, is an improper message for someone of Morant’s stature and with his extensive following.
As a result of the suspension, it is highly unlikely that Morant will be eligible for end-of-season awards in 2024, such as MVP and All-NBA. The new Collective Bargaining Agreement, effective from July 1, stipulates that a player must participate in a minimum of 65 games (with limited exceptions) to qualify for such honors.
Additionally, it is reasonable to assume that Morant will likely miss the NBA’s inaugural in-season tournament, expected to take place in the fall and conclude in December. The league has not yet confirmed the tournament’s occurrence or released its schedule.
Commissioner Silver emphasized that basketball should take a back seat for Morant, as he needs to address the underlying issues that have contributed to his repeated problematic behavior. Morant will be required to complete a program established by the league to tackle these issues before being allowed to return to the NBA.
As a result of his eight-game suspension, Morant incurred a salary loss of approximately $669,000, forfeited due to the first video that surfaced on his Instagram account on March 4.
The second video, which emerged on May 13 and was widely shared online, was streamed by an associate of Morant. In February, Morant had mentioned that this same friend had been banned from the Grizzlies’ home arena for a year following a confrontation with individuals from the Indiana Pacers organization the week prior.
