Will Ja Morant be suspended? Breaking down possible suspension length, missed games for Grizzlies

The NBA is investigating a video featuring Ja Morant in which the Grizzlies star appeared to be holding a gun.

The video was live-streamed on the Instagram account of Morant's associate Davonte Pack, according to The Associated Press. The live stream had only 111 viewers at the time Morant appeared to brandish a firearm, but the snippet was shared on social media.

The following video alone has over 43 million views on Twitter. (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

The NBA suspended Morant during the 2022-23 regular season for a different video of him holding a gun. How long of a suspension could he face for this incident?

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Will Ja Morant be suspended?

The Grizzlies announced in a statement on May 14 that Morant has been suspended from "all team activities pending League review." It's still unknown if the NBA will suspend Morant, but ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski has said that the two-time All-Star could face a "lengthy suspension" to start the 2023-24 season.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver commented on the video prior to the 2023 NBA Draft Lottery. Silver said he was "shocked" when he first saw it and that the league was in the process of investigating what happened.

“Honestly, I was shocked when I saw this weekend — that video. Now, we’re in the process of investigating it."

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver spoke on Ja Morant after his latest video. pic.twitter.com/W0lX4E2fa4

— ESPN (@espn) May 16, 2023

Silver met with Morant after a video surfaced of him "holding a firearm in an intoxicated state" at a club in the Denver area on March 4. Silver said that Morant seemed to take the eight-game suspension he received for the incident "incredibly seriously" at the time.

The NBA suspended Morant for eight games without pay for conduct detrimental to the league.

"Based on the information obtained during the investigation, the league did not conclude that the gun at issue belonged to Morant, was brought by him into the nightclub or was displayed by him beyond a brief period," the league said in a statement.

"The investigation also did not find that Morant possessed the gun while traveling with the team or in any NBA facility, and the Colorado authorities did not find sufficient cause to charge Morant with a crime."

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Why is Ja Morant in trouble for having a gun?

Here is the NBA's policy on firearms via the 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 Leaguerelated 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.

As detailed in section 9(c), if the NBA determines that Morant violated section 9(a) or 9(b), he'd be subject to Article 35(d), which includes a fine of up to $50,000 and/or a suspension.

(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

MORE: JJ Redick slams 'gun culture,' politicians for discussion surrounding Ja Morant

Ja Morant statement on IG gun video

Morant said in a statement that he takes "full accountability" for his actions and is committed to "continuing to work on myself."

Ja Morant statement: “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.”

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 17, 2023

Ja Morant contract details

Morant signed a five-year extension with the Grizzlies prior to the 2022-23 season. That contract kicks in starting this fall.

Had Morant made an All-NBA team this season, the total value of his extension would've been $233.2 million. Because he missed out on an All-NBA selection, the value is $194.3 million. Morant was largely seen by many as having an All-NBA caliber season prior to his eight-game suspension. Because he did not make All-NBA, his new contract is worth $38.9 million less than it could have been.

Here's the season-by-season breakdown of his extension, which starts in 2023-24: