The National Basketball Players Association issued a firm statement in support of Ja Morant on Friday on the heels of the Grizzlies star receiving a 25-game suspension for holding a gun on Instagram Live in May.
NBPA executive director Tamika Tremaglio labeled the discipline imposed on Morant as “excessive” and “inappropriate,” citing specifically the NBA’s requirement of the 23-year-old to fulfill unstated conditions before he can return.
Tremaglio also declared the NBPA’s intent to work with Morant going forward as he deals with the discipline.
“Ja has expressed his remorse and accepted responsibility for his actions, and we support him unequivocally as he does whatever is necessary to represent himself, our players and our league in the best possible light,” Tremaglio said. “As to the discipline imposed, which keeps him off the court until December and requires some unstated conditions to be met before he can return, we believe it is excessive and inappropriate for a number of reasons including the facts involved in this particular incident, and that it is not fair and consistent with past discipline in our league.
“We will explore with Ja all options and next steps.”
NBPA statement on Ja Morant suspension pic.twitter.com/0iBCjVUXNn
— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) June 16, 2023
While Morant has already publicly accepted his punishment, it stands to wonder what ramifications could result from the NBPA’s involvement given their public stance on the situation.
In a statement issued shortly after the announcement, Morant, who had been indefinitely suspended by the Grizzlies for the May video and was previously suspended for a similar violation, apologized to NBA commissioner Adam Silver, the Grizzlies and everyone he impacted for his repeat offense.
The two-time All-Star also vowed to continue working on his mental health as he begins his preparation to re-join Memphis in December.
“I’m spending the offseason and my suspension continuing to work on my own mental health and decision making,” Morant said. “I’m also going to be training so that I’m ready to go when I can be back on the court.”
