NBA star player Ja Morant has been suspended 25 games due to conduct detrimental to the league after his second gun video went viral. Interestingly enough, he was able to hang on to his Nike endorsement, unlike fellow NBA star Kyrie Irving. Morant is widely believed to have gotten off lightly with this punishment and the first one due to facing a 50-game seat on the bench.
Morant initially got in trouble during an away game in Denver. He filmed himself in a Denver-area strip club brandishing a handgun. This is problematic for a couple of reasons. First of all, Morant plays for the Memphis Grizzlies. Logic says that the only way he had a weapon in Denver is if he brought his own gun from Memphis on the team plane, which is a violation of the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement. This offense is an automatic 50-game suspension, which he did not get. He was only suspended for six games.
Denver Police investigated the strip club incident because it may not be legal to brandish a firearm inside of a place like a strip club. Ultimately, Morant faced no criminal charges. His only punishment was sort of a forced apology tour, a quick stint in rehab, and an eight-game suspension without pay. This is the equivalent of a slap on the wrist at best. And, of course, Morant soon created more drama for himself almost immediately after the suspension by brandishing another weapon on Instagram. This time, he was not in a strip club but he was either in his vehicle or someone else’s.
The second gun video from Morant was enough for NBA Commissioner David Stern to drop the proverbial hammer. 25 games without pay. This is still less than the potential 50-game suspension he could have received, but much more than the paltry eight-game suspension. This will cost Morant over $7 million.
SOURCES:
Ja Morant suspended 25 games by NBA | NBA.com
Ja Morant suspended for 25 games without pay, NBA announces – CBS News
Ja Morant: NBA suspends Memphis Grizzlies’ star for 25 games without pay for ‘conduct detrimental to the league’ | CNN
NBA suspends Ja Morant 25 games for waving a gun on Instagram Live
Ja Morant Suspended 25 Games for Second Gun Video – The New York Times
