What We Know About Ja Morant's 25-Game Suspension

Pro basketball Hall of Famer and NBA executive vice president Joe Dumars spoke to a group of reporters on Wednesday ahead of the 2023-24 season and gave an update on the league's decision to hold firm in their suspension of Memphis Grizzlies star point guard Ja Morant.

Dumars told a group of reporters via conference call that the league will not reduce Morant's 25-game suspension, meaning that the earliest NBA fans will see the All-Star is on December 19 when the Grizzlies play the New Orleans Pelicans. He did confirm, however, that Morant is able to participate in team activities like practice and traveling to away games.

"So the 25 games are the 25 games. But I think for this 24-year-old kid to continue to grow, he needs to continue to practice every day with his team and be around his team and team meetings," Dumars told reporters. "And all of that stuff, I think, really helps a young guy's growth. He needs to be in that environment. I would hate for him to go to some gym somewhere because we didn't allow him to practice, to try to stay in shape, but he's completely isolated from everyone else.

"I don't think that would be, and I don't think the league thinks, that would be an optimal option to give to a 24-year-old kid who's figuring it out as he goes."

Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman had earlier confirmed during the team's media day that Morant would be allowed to practice with the team.

"I think it's great for Ja, and I think it's great for the group that he can be with us day-to-day," Kleiman told reporters October 2. "The NBA basically has said that as long as Ja continues to stay on track, he's going to be clear to participate in all private team activities, so practices, shoot-arounds, traveling with the team. He's not going to be with us, obviously, for preseason games and the first 25, but we'll see him out there and we can't wait to have him back Game 26."

Why Was Ja Morant Suspended?

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced on June 16 that Morant would serve a 25-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the league.

On May 13, Morant was seen in a video posted to Instagram Live wielding a gun while riding in a car with friends. Earlier in the season, Morant was suspended for eight games after posting a video of himself brandishing a firearm in a Denver strip club.

"Ja Morant's decision to once again wield a firearm on social media is alarming and disconcerting given his similar conduct in March for which he was already suspended eight games," Silver said in the June press release. "The potential for other young people to emulate Ja's conduct is particularly concerning. Under these circumstances, we believe a suspension of 25 games is appropriate and makes clear that engaging in reckless and irresponsible behavior with guns will not be tolerated."

How Will the Grizzles Replace Morant?

Those who aren't avid watchers of the NBA might look at the two gun-related incidents and wonder why this guy is worth the trouble.

Well, Morant is one of the most electrifying players in the NBA. He is a scoring machine who gets teammates involved, and his ability to play above and below the rim is a rare combo. The point guard led the Grizzlies in scoring and assists last season, scoring 26.2 points per game along with 8.1 dishes.

No one player can replicate what Morant does for the Grizzlies on the court and the Memphis fanbase. That said, Memphis acquired former Celtics point guard Marcus Smart in a trade during the offseason. Smart is far from the scoring presence of Morant but is one of the NBA's best defensive players.

Smart will likely be the starter at point guard, with Desmond Bane at shooting guard. Bane is an underrated scorer who should see an increase in shot attempts while Morant is out.