One of the NBA's best is turning into one of the NBA's most worrisome.
Ja Morant burst onto the scene in 2019, quickly becoming one of the best and most explosive young players in the NBA. Unfortunately for Morant, the Grizzlies and NBA fans, his off-court troubles have begun to overshadow his on-court brilliance in recent months.
Most recently, Morant was seen on video waving a gun in a somewhat celebratory fashion while with friends, the second time he's been seen with firearm in recent months. The first time resulted in an eight-game suspension. This time may turn into a much longer ban.
MORE: Stephen A. Smith, others react to Ja Morant's gun video: 'It's sad'
Here's the latest on Morant, his potential suspension and the latest from the Association on his standing:
Ja Morant suspension news, updates
Thursday, June 1
Adam Silver spoke once again about Morant before the start of the 2023 NBA Finals. Ahead of Game 1 of the Nuggets vs. Heat series, Silver was when there would be a resolution about the point guard's status, and he explained that wouldn't come until after the series.
"In terms of the timing, we’ve uncovered a fair amount of additional information since I was asked about the situation," Silver said. "We probably could have brought it to a head now, but we’ve made the decision that it would be unfair to these players and these teams to, in the middle of this series, announce the results of that investigation."
Adam Silver says the league has uncovered information about the Ja Morant situation, but they want to hold the findings of the investigations until after the Finals pic.twitter.com/yfrI3xxqJd
— Shane Young (@YoungNBA) June 1, 2023
Beyond that, Silver further detailed that because the Grizzlies already have suspended Morant indefinitely, any additional punishment by the NBA wouldn't have an impact on his status — at least short term. Memphis was eliminated in the first round of the NBA playoffs and has since gone into offseason mode.
Perhaps Silver's opinion would change if the Grizzlies lifted Morant's suspension, but that seems unlikely to happen.
Either way, it seems like Morant is heading toward a long suspension given that the previous consequences had little impact on the All-Star's behavior.
Adam Silver says he’s not sure what it will take for Ja Morant to change his behavior.
— Michael C. Wright (@mikecwright) June 1, 2023
Tuesday, May 16
NBA commissioner Adam Silver comments on Morant's video, but the end of the NBA's investigation is not in sight. That said, Silver's words don't paint a pretty picture for Morant's availability to start the 2023-24 season on the court.
Silver says that he felt Morant was understanding and remorseful following his first suspension for the violation in March, and was "shocked" to see the new gun video surface on May 14.
“Honestly, I was shocked when I saw this weekend — that video. Now, we’re in the process of investigating it."
— ESPN (@espn) May 16, 2023
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver spoke on Ja Morant after his latest video. pic.twitter.com/W0lX4E2fa4
An excerpt from Silver's appearance on ESPN:
An eight-game suspension was pretty serious, and something that he, at least to me, seemed to take incredibly seriously in that time. And we spoke for a long time about not just the consequences that could have on his career, but the safety issues around it; he could have injured, maimed, killed, himself, someone else, with an act like that. And also the acknowledgement that he's a star — he has an incredibly huge following. And my concern that millions, if not tens of millions of kids globally, would see him as having done something that was celebrating in a way — that act of using a firearm in that fashion. I, at least, was left with the sense that he was taking this incredibly seriously.
Honestly, I was shocked when I saw this weekend, that video. We are in the process of investigating it. We'll figure out what happened to the best we can. Again, the video's a bit grainy and all that, but I'm assuming the worst. We'll figure out exactly what happened there.
A timetable for a resolution of the NBA's investigation is unclear.
Sunday, May 14
The Grizzlies suspend Morant from all team activities while the NBA investigates Morant's involvement in the video. There has been no official league discipline issued to Morant as of May 17, though reports indicate Morant will likely serve a "significant" suspension.
What did Ja Morant do?
In an Instagram Live video that surfaced on May 13, the Grizzlies star is briefly seen in a car with others while brandishing a weapon and rapping along to a song playing in the background.
It's unclear who he was in the car with, but the camera pans over to Morant holding a firearm before quickly cutting away.
It's the second time in two months that Morant has been in hot water for brandishing a gun, with the first incident coming in March. Morant was seen on an Instagram Live video holding a weapon in a Denver-area nightclub, and it resulted in an eight-game suspension from the NBA.
Ja Morant new gun video
The video which surfaced was part of a longer Instagram Live session which was posted to Davonte Pack's Instagram account. Pack is a friend of Morant, who has himself been in trouble with the Grizzlies.
You can view the video of Morant holding the weapon below; he is seen waving the gun at 12 seconds.
(Editor's note: Video contains NSFW language.)
Grizzlies star Ja Morant was allegedly seen holding a gun on an IG Live yesterday.pic.twitter.com/bqvwbwgd9m
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) May 14, 2023
MORE: Who is Davonte Pack? What to know about Ja Morant's longtime friend
Ja Morant statement
On Tuesday, May 16, Morant released a statement, seemingly apologetic for carrying the weapon, and taking full accountability for his actions.
Ja Morant released a statement:
— Sporting News NBA (@sn_nba) May 17, 2023
“I know I’ve disappointed a lot of people who have supported me. This is a journey and I recognize there is more work to do. My words may not mean much right now, but I take full accountability for my actions. I’m committed to continuing to work… pic.twitter.com/EheY6CY930
Morant's statement in full:
"I know I’ve disappointed a lot of people who have supported me. This is a journey and I recognize there is more work to do. My words may not mean much right now, but I take full accountability for my actions. I’m committed to continuing to work on myself."
NBA gun policy
The NBA has an extensive and strict policy on weapons and firearms, though it's unclear if Morant was in violation of any part of the rule.
Here is the exact rule from the NBA's collective bargaining agreement (CBA):
Section 9. Firearms and Other Weapons.
(a) Whenever a player is physically present at a facility or venue owned, operated, or being used by a Team, the NBA, or any League-related entity, and whenever a player is traveling on any NBA-related business, whether on behalf of the player’s Team, the NBA, or any League-related entity, such player shall not possess a firearm of any kind or any other deadly weapon. For purposes of the foregoing, “a facility or venue” includes, but is not limited to: an arena; a practice facility; a Team or League office or facility; an All-Star or NBA Playoff venue; and the site of a promotional or charitable appearance.
(b) At the commencement of each Season, and if the player owns or possesses any firearm, the player will provide the Team with proof that the player possesses a license or registration as required by law for any such firearm. Each player is also required to provide the Team with proof of any modifications or additions made to this information during the Season.
(c) Any violation of Section 9(a) or Section 9(b) above shall be considered conduct prejudicial to the NBA under Article 35(d) of the NBA Constitution and By-Laws, and shall therefore subject the player to discipline by the NBA in accordance with such Article.
To that end, it's unclear if Morant is in violation of Section 9, Point A; his exact location in the video is unclear at the time. Morant, though, may be in violation of Section 9, Point B, which states that a player is required to provide proof of license and registration for any firearm he owns. If the weapon he was holding in the video was not registered to him, he may be in violation of the rule.
If the weapon is registered to him and the NBA clears him of Article 9, he may not be out of the woods yet. Should Morant end up with a lengthy suspension, then it will likely be under the league's "Misconduct" policy (Article 35 of the CBA):
(d) The Commissioner shall have the power to suspend for a definite or indefinite period, or to impose a fine not exceeding $50,000, or inflict both such suspension and fine upon any Player who, in his opinion, (i) shall have made or caused to be made any statement having, or that was designed to have, an effect prejudicial or detrimental to the best interests of basketball or of the Association or of a Member, or (ii) shall have been guilty of conduct that does not conform to standards of morality or fair play, that does not comply at all times with all federal, state, and local laws, or that is prejudicial or detrimental to the Association.
The last line is the key: "…or that is prejudicial or detrimental to the Association." It's a wide-ranging, umbrella term that essentially gives Silver unilateral authority to suspend any player for conduct deemed detrimental to the league.
If Silver's recent quotes are any indication, then expect Morant to end up with a lengthy ban to start the upcoming NBA season.
