Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant could face an NBA suspension on top of his absence from the team following the gun controversy that erupted over the weekend, a basketball source has suggested.
NBA journalist Marc Stein appeared on the «This League Uncut» podcast Tuesday and said different elements of the situation could lead to a suspension.
«There are a couple of items that the NBA and Colorado law enforcement are trying to look into or look into,» Stein said. «This was done on the road. This was at a club in Denver, I think. So, there are questions about whether he personally brought the gun. And then, being on the road, there is a question about whether he had the gun.» gun on the team plane?»
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Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant adjusts his protective 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 Morant could get an automatic 50-game suspension, citing the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement. But then he clarified that there was no binary suspension for the matter.
«I said something incorrectly on today’s podcast,» Stein tweeted.
«A firearm on team premises is, in fact, a violation of NBA rules and subjects the player to disciplinary action…but there is NO specific length of suspension in the league bylaws.
Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies reacts during the 76ers game at the 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 reported the wording on the NBA CBA.
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«Section 9. Firearms and Other Weapons. (a) Any time a player is physically present at a facility or location owned by, or used by, a team, the NBA, or any league-related entity a team, the NBA, or any league-related entity, and whenever a player is traveling on any NBA-related business, whether on behalf of the player’s team, the NBA, or any league-related entity, such player shall not possess a firearm of any kind or any other deadly weapon. or venue’ includes, but is not limited to: an arena; a practice facility; a team or league office or facility; a Game venue Stars or NBA Playoffs; and the site of a promotional or charity presentation.
Ja 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 Section 9(a) or Section 9(b) above shall be considered conduct detrimental to the NBA under Article 35(d) of the NBA Constitution and Bylaws and therefore , shall subject the player to disciplinary action by the NBA in accordance with said article.»
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NBA rules state that NBA Commissioner Adam Silver must «have the power to suspend for a definite or indefinite period, or to impose a fine not to exceed $1,000,000, or to inflict both the suspension and the fine on any person.» who, in his opinion, has been guilty of conduct detrimental or detrimental to the Association”.
Glendale, Colorado police said they were investigating the controversy as was the NBA.
Laura Ehret, the Grizzlies’ vice president of basketball information strategy and communications, told USA Today that the team follows TSA guidelines.
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant adjusts his face shield during a Nuggets game at Ball Arena in Denver on March 3, 2023. (Ron Chenoy-USA Today Sports)
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Morant has been off the team since Friday night’s drama.