Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
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Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant again finds himself in trouble after a video of him holding what appears to be a gun was posted on Instagram. This is the latest incident in a number of troubling incidents involving the NBA star.
Earlier this season, he was suspended eight games after brandishing a gun at a nightclub, and, despite saying all of the right things, he again finds himself under scrutiny for his questionable decisions. His questionable decisions have drawn strong reactions, including from former Memphis Grizzlies forward Chandler Parsons.
Parsons’ call for a full-season suspension may seem a bit much, but it seems clear that this latest incident will draw far more of a response than the eight-game suspension that he previously received.
NBA Rumors: Morant may not miss all of next season but could still miss significant time.
A “significant suspension” probably doesn’t mean 82 games plus the playoffs, but it could mean at least a 20-game suspension for Morant. If that is the case, then the Grizzlies would be without their best player for nearly 25% of next season. That would put them at a big disadvantage after finishing with the second-best record in the West this season.
Although they were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Los Angeles Lakers, they could face a tougher path next season without Morant. Punishing the team for Morant’s mistake could be seen as unfair, especially by Grizzlies fans, but perhaps that is what it will take for him to see that his actions have consequences.
All in all, while Morant may not be suspended for all of next season, he could still miss significant time. Being without their best player to start next season would be a huge blow to the Grizzlies, who are seen as one of the best young teams in the NBA, but coming down hard on Morant now could be the best thing for both him and the franchise going forward.
