Memphis Grizzlies superstar Ja Morant has been suspended from all team activities since May 14. The suspension came after a video of Morant flashing a gun on Instagram Live the day prior. It was Morant's second such incident of the guard getting caught with a firearm on the live-streaming platform.
However, the NBA has been fairly hands-off in regard to punishing Morant. The league did not comment on the incident until May 16, when Commissioner Adam Silver said that he was "shocked" by the video. In response, Morant released a vague and generic apology. Despite this, no formal announcement from the league has come down yet.
No Announcement On Morant Until After Finals
Speaking at the NBA Finals press conference, Silver laid out the NBA's plan for Morant. "We've uncovered a fair amount of additional information, I think, since I was first asked about the situation," Silver said Thursday. "I will say we probably could have brought it to a head now. But we made the decision, and I believe the players association agrees with us, that it would be unfair to these players and these teams in the middle of the series to announce the results of that investigation." Silver continued, speaking on Morant's previous suspension. "If it had been a 12-game suspension instead of an eight-game suspension, would that have mattered? I know it seemed based on precedent, and he's represented, and we want to be fair in terms of the league. It seemed appropriate at the time. That's all I can say."
Silver contained. "Maybe by definition to the extent we've all seen the video that it appears he's done it again, I guess you could say maybe not. But I don't think we yet know what it will take to change his behavior. Same thing I said at the time: He seems to be a fine young man. In terms of my dealings with him, I think he's clearly made some mistakes, but he's young, and I'm hoping now -- once we conclude at the end of our process what the appropriate discipline is, that it's not just about the discipline."
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