Ja Morant's contract, explained: How suspension could impact Grizzlies star's All-NBA chances, future salary

Scott Rafferty

Ja Morant's contract, explained: How suspension could impact Grizzlies star's All-NBA chances, future salary image

The impact of Ja Morant's suspension could extend beyond this season.

On March 15, the NBA announced that Morant had been suspended eight games for conduct detrimental to the league after he live streamed a video of himself "holding a firearm in an intoxicated state while visiting a Denver area nightclub." Not only was he suspended without pay, but his absence could impact his All-NBA case, which is tied to his future earnings.

Here's how much Morant's suspension cost him and the value behind another All-NBA selection.

MORE: The key stats you need to know in razor-thin MVP debate

How much did Ja Morant's suspension cost him?

The No. 2 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, Morant is in the final year of his rookie contract. His salary has increased each season he's been in the NBA, climbing from $8.7 million in 2019-20 to $12.1 million in 2022-23.

According to ESPN's Bobby Marks, Morant's eight-game suspension cost him a total of $668,659.

That's the second-most a player has lost due to a fine or suspension in the 2022-23 season, per Spotrac, trailing only Kyrie Irving, whose eight-game suspension in November cost him $2 million.

MORE: Kyrie Irving and conspiracy theories, explained

Why Ja Morant's future salary is tied to All-NBA selection

Prior to the 2022-23 season, Morant agreed to a five-year extension with the Grizzlies that is projected to be worth $194 million. His extension could increase to $233 million if he's named Most Valuable Player, Defensive Player of the Year or he earns an All-NBA selection this season.

Of the three, Morant is most likely to earn a spot on one of the three All-NBA teams. He's not considered to be one of the leading MVP candidates and his teammate Jaren Jackson Jr. is the main reason Memphis has the league's second-best defense.

Ja Morant's contract extension by season (Keith Smith, Spotrac)
Season If Morant doesn't make All-NBA If Morant makes All-NBA
2023-24 $33,500,000 $40,200,000
2024-25 $36,180,000 $43,416,000
2025-26 $38,860,000 $46,632,000
2026-27 $41,540,000 $49,848,000
2027-28 $44,220,000 $53,064,000
Total $194,300,000 $233,160,000

Morant made the All-NBA Second Team last season with averages of 27.4 points, 6.7 assists and 5.7 rebounds over 57 games. He's averaging 27.1 points, 8.2 assists and 6.0 rebounds through 53 games this season. Morant could end up playing more games this season — the Grizzlies have 11 games remaining on their schedule — but he faces stiffer competition at the guard position than last season.

"It would be hard to see him getting All-NBA at this point," Brian Windhorst said on ESPN's The Hoop Collective podcast. "Not because of like as a result of the suspension, but because the competition for the guard spots is so high and the voters are already looking to kind of break ties so to speak.

"Regardless of what you think about it, if you're not available to your team for a self-inflicted situation like this, it affects your candidacy."

Here are some of the players Morant could be competing with for the six available All-NBA guard spots:

  • James Harden, 76ers
  • Jrue Holiday, Bucks
  • Darius Garland, Cavaliers
  • Donovan Mitchell, Cavaliers
  • Trae Young, Hawks
  • De'Aaron Fox, Kings
  • Jalen Brunson, Knicks
  • Luka Doncic, Mavericks
  • Kyrie Irving, Mavericks
  • Tyrese Haliburton, Pacers
  • Devin Booker, Suns
  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder
  • Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves
  • Damian Lillard, Trail Blazers
  • Stephen Curry, Warriors

Morant will make a lot of money on his next contract regardless, but he has nearly 40 million reasons to follow this season's All-NBA results. 

Scott Rafferty

Scott Rafferty Photo

 

Scott Rafferty is an experienced NBA journalist who first started writing for The Sporting News in 2017. There are few things he appreciates more than a Nikola Jokic no-look pass, Klay Thompson heat check or Giannis Antetokounmpo eurostep. He's a member of the NBA Global team.