NBA insider Tim MacMahon of ESPN said on Brian Windhorst’s podcast that he heard Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant’s camp feels the NBA and media are “out to get them.”
“I have heard indirectly that Ja and people close to Ja, perhaps people formerly close to Ja, have this feeling that the NBA out to get them,” MacMahon said. “That the media is out to get them.”
Morant has been suspended by the NBA for 25 games for showing a gun on an IG Live video for a second time. He was suspended for eight games in March after the first incident.
Morant’s suspension begins immediately and will remain in effect through the first 25 games of the 2023-24 regular season.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Ja Morant & Memphis Grizzlies Updates
The All-Star guard will have to adhere to certain conditions before being reinstated and is ineligible to participate in any public league or team activities, including preseason games, during the course of his suspension.
“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 a statement. “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.”
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Ja Morant & Memphis Grizzlies Updates
Morant is due to make around $33.5 million next season. He now stands to lose just over $300,000 per game during this suspension, which is approximately $7.5 million.
“For Ja, basketball needs to take a back seat at this time,” Silver said. “Prior to his return to play, he will be required to formulate and fulfill a program with the league that directly addresses the circumstances that led him to repeat this destructive behavior.”
Morant signed a five-year, $194.3 million designated rookie contract extension with Memphis in July 2022.
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