Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant’s suspension will not be shortened at any point, NBA officials told Sam Amick and Joe Vardon of The Athletic.
Morant was issued a 25-game suspension in mid-June for posing with a gun in a livestream video on Instagram in May. Barring any sort of off-court setback, Morant will be eligible to return to the court on December 19 versus the New Orleans Pelicans.
“The league and the Players Association and Ja (Morant) and his people are in constant communication with this, and are all working together on this,” Joe Dumars, executive vice president of basketball operations for the NBA, said. “From a league office standpoint, with the Players Association, with Ja (Morant) and his people, everybody is collaborating together on this to make sure that this kid makes a smooth transition back to the league — whenever that is. This is not the type of stuff you can (discuss) publicly and start talking about what’s happening behind the scenes, but it is happening.”
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies Updates
Morant signed a five-year, $194.3 million designated rookie contract extension with the Grizzlies in July 2022. He averaged 26.2 points, 5.9 rebounds and 8.1 assists last season in 61 games.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies Updates
Morant 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. A Murray State product, Morant was due to make around $33.5 million this season. He stands to lose just over $300,000 per game during this suspension, which is approximately $7.5 million.
The Grizzlies drafted Morant with the second overall pick in the 2019 draft. Morant has career averages of 22.4 points, 4.8 rebounds and 7.4 assists.
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