Memphis Grizzles point guard Ja Morant is facing a lengthy suspension after a video in May allegedly showed him flashing a gun in a vehicle. With the NBA Finals over, Morant’s suspension is imminent.
Before the Denver Nuggets faced the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals, commissioner Adam Silver announced the league’s investigation uncovered new information against Morant. While the league wouldn’t announce a suspension until after the NBA Finals ended, Morant was expected to miss a significant portion of next season.
- Ja Morant contract: 5 years, $194.3 million extension
Related: Ja Morant facing ‘significant suspension’
Multiple reports indicated that Morant’s camp argued to the NBA that Morant wasn’t actually holding a gun and that the item in his hand was a toy. However, the All-Star guard’s history of issues off the court, including his eight-game suspension earlier this year, influenced the NBA’s final ruling.
During an appearance on Brother From Another, NBA reporter Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo Sports shared his belief that Morant’s suspension is imminent and it will likely be for less than half of the regular season.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if something came down (Thursday) or Friday. Because they’re not going to do it on Juneteenth, which is Monday and they’re not going to do anything over the weekend. It’s not going to be half a season, because he didn’t technically commit a crime…I think it will be somewhere between 25-30 games.”
Vincent Goodwill on the timeline and length for Ja Morant suspension
- Ja Morant stats (2022-’23): 26.2 PPG, 8.1 APG, 5.9 RPG, 46.6% FG
If Morant is banned for less than 30 games, it would not be one of the longest suspensions in NBA history. Six NBA players have been suspended for 30-plus games, most recently in 2016 when guard O.J. Mayo was banned for two years for repeat violations of anti-drug policies.
With the 2023 NBA Draft set for June 22, the NBA will likely want to get Morant’s suspension out of the spotlight before its marquee event of the offseason. Announcing the suspension and revealing the findings of the investigation on Friday would also provide the league with less coverage over the weekend.
Related: NBA uncovered new information during Ja Morant investigation
Morant will not be paid for the length of his suspension and any subsequent actions after the decision is made would result in further disciplinary action. If Morant is suspended for fewer than 40 games, the Grizzlies’ playoff odds would likely improve after initial reports suggested he could miss half of the regular season.