Memphis Grizzlies' standout player Ja Morant has been handed a 25-game suspension without pay by the NBA due to conduct detrimental to the league, according to an announcement made on Friday.
“Ja Morant’s decision to once again wield a firearm on social media is alarming and disconcerting given his similar conduct in March for which he was already suspended eight games,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in the statement.
The following has been released by the NBA. pic.twitter.com/dzDSb4uCk3
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) June 16, 2023
The suspension takes immediate effect and will extend throughout the first 25 games of the 2023-24 regular season. Morant will also be required to meet certain conditions before being reinstated, as stated by the NBA.
Silver asserted that a 25-game suspension is warranted to demonstrate that reckless and irresponsible behavior involving guns will not be tolerated.
“The potential for other young people to emulate Ja’s conduct is particularly concerning. Under these circumstances, we believe a suspension of 25 games is appropriate and makes clear that engaging in reckless and irresponsible behavior with guns will not be tolerated,” he added.
Additionally, he will be ineligible to participate in any public league or team activities, including preseason games, for the duration of his suspension.
This marks Morant's second suspension in the last three months after previously receiving an eight-game suspension in March for brandishing a firearm on social media.
Morant, whose annual earnings amount to around $33.5 million (P1.8 billion), will now face a loss of approximately $300,000 (P16.7 million) per game during his suspension, resulting in a total loss of approximately $7.5 million (P400 million).
Morant's apology
He issued a statement on Friday expressing remorse for the hurt he caused and extending apologies to the NBA, the Grizzlies, his teammates, and the city of Memphis.
He emphasized his commitment to working on his mental health and decision-making during the offseason and suspension, with the hope of proving himself to be a better person in the future.
“I’ve had time to reflect and realize how much hurt I’ve caused. I want to apologize to the NBA, the Grizzlies, my teammates and the city of Memphis… I’m spending the offseason and my suspension continuing to work on my own mental health and decision making," the star player wrote.
Ja Morant statement: pic.twitter.com/KJCxTVEIRj
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 16, 2023
“I’m also going to be training so that I’m ready to go when I can be back on the court… I hope you’ll give me the chance to prove to you over time I’m a better man than what I’ve been showing,” Morant added.
Grizzlies reponse
Meanwhile, the Grizzlies released a statement acknowledging the league's decision to suspend Morant and emphasizing their adherence to clear standards for all team personnel.
“We respect the league’s decision to suspend Ja Morant following this latest episode. Our standards as a league and team are clear, and we expect that all team personnel will adhere to them,” the team's statement read.
Statement from Memphis Grizzlies pic.twitter.com/WBg9axfl2V
— Grizzlies PR (@GrizzliesPR) June 16, 2023
The league's investigation revealed that on May 13, Morant knowingly and intentionally displayed a firearm while in a car with several other individuals, as they were leaving a social gathering in Memphis. Morant was aware that he was being recorded and that the recording was being streamed live on Instagram.
This behavior contradicted his previous commitments to the NBA and public statements in which he vowed not to repeat such conduct.
Morant, a rising star in the league, earned the 2020 Kia Rookie of the Year award and has been selected as an All-Star twice within his first four seasons. He played a vital role in the Grizzlies' success last season, contributing to their 51 wins and securing the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference.
With this suspension, it is highly unlikely that Morant will be eligible for end-of-season awards in 2024, such as MVP and All-NBA, as the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, effective from July 1, stipulates that players must appear in a minimum of 65 games (with limited exceptions) to be eligible for such honors.
