Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant could face a suspension from the NBA on top of his absence from the team following the gun controversy that surfaced this weekend, a basketball insider suggested.
NBA journalist Marc Stein appeared on the “This League Uncut” podcast on Tuesday and said the various elements of the situation could lead to a suspension.
“There are a number of elements that the NBA and Colorado law enforcement are trying to investigate or investigate,” Stein said. “This was done on the road. This was at a club in Denver, I believe. And so there are questions if he personally brought the gun? And then, on the road, there’s a question if he put the gun on the team plane?”
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Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant adjusts his protective face mask before shooting a pair of free throws against the Nuggets on Friday, March 3, 2023 in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Stein initially suggested that Morant could receive an automatic 50-game suspension, citing the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement. But later clarified no binary suspension for the matter.
“I said something wrong in today’s podcast,” Stein tweeted.
“A firearm on team property is indeed a violation of NBA rules and subjects the player to disciplinary action…but there is NO specific length of suspension in the league’s bylaws.
Yes Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies reacts during the 76ers game at Wells Fargo Center on February 23, 2023 in Philadelphia. (Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
“The length of the suspension is imposed at the discretion of the commissioner.”
CBS Sports related the wording in the NBA’s CBA.
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“Section 9. Firearms and Other Weapons. (a) Whenever a player is physically present in a facility or location owned, operated, or used by a team, the NBA, or a League-related entity, and when a player is traveling for an NBA-related business, whether on behalf of the player’s team, the NBA, or a League-related entity, such player may not possess a firearm or any other deadly weapon. “or location” 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 location of a promotional or charity performance.
Yes Morant of the Grizzlies during the Los Angeles Lakers game at FedExForum on February 28, 2023 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Justin Ford/Getty Images)
“(c) Any violation of Rule 9(a) or Rule 9(b) above shall be considered conduct detrimental to the NBA under Rule 35(d) of the NBA Statutes and Rules, and will therefore result in the subject player to disciplinary action by the NBA pursuant to that section.”
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The NBA rules state that NBA Commissioner Adam Silver “must have the power to suspend for a definite or indefinite period of time, or to impose a fine not exceeding $1,000,000, or both such suspension as a fine to be imposed on any person who, in his opinion, shall be guilty of conduct prejudicial or detrimental to the Association.”
Police in Glendale, Colorado, said they were investigating the controversy as well as the NBA.
Laura Ehret, the Grizzlies’ vice president of communications and information strategy, told USA Today that the team follows TSA regulations.
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant adjusts his face shield during the Nuggets game at Ball Arena in Denver on March 3, 2023. (Ron Chenoy-USA Today Sports)
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Morant has been away from the team since Friday night’s drama.
