When asked about a meeting between the NBA commissioner and Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant, who is set to return from a 25-game suspension on Saturday, Silver informed reporters that the meeting is in the works. The league has requested Morant to “complie with everything,” according to Silver, and he is eligible to return on December 19.
While in Sin City for the first-ever In-Season Tournament championship, Silver gave a brief news conference covering a variety of league-related subjects. His lengthy remarks regarding the Morant case are as follows:
“I must admit, I have been keeping a careful eye on both the situation and him. It is our intention to meet face-to-face this week, Ja and I. The Players Association, Ja’s squad, and the league office have been in touch on a weekly, if not more frequent, basis. At certain points, there have been inspections.
Over the past few weeks, we’ve worked together to develop a plan for him, and as far as I can tell, he’s followed it to a T. We will examine the program and ensure that all the necessary elements are in place for him to be successful going forward. We will talk at least once this week before his return, as I mentioned before.
After being suspended for 25 games this season in June for multiple instances of brandishing firearms, Morant returned to action in July.
In March, Morant was initially apprehended at a strip club outside of Denver while brandishing a firearm. After serving an eight-game suspension, Morant sought help at a Florida therapy center. After the Grizzlies were knocked out of the playoffs not long after, Morant was shown on Instagram once again brandishing a firearm.
“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 stated after the suspension was issued. Particularly worrisome is the possibility that other youths may follow Ja’s example. Our investigation has led us to the conclusion that a 25-game ban is necessary to send a strong message that careless firearms use will not be accepted.
A brawl with a juvenile over a pick-up basketball game is just one of several contentious occurrences involving Morant in the past few years. Morant and his companion Davonte Pack are facing civil charges for allegedly assaulting a minor, who was 17 years old at the time. A subpoena was served on Morant to appear in a case pertaining to this matter. December 11th, a little over one week prior to Morant’s anticipated return, is the day of the initial hearing.
Upon Morant’s anticipated comeback on December 19, the Grizzlies (6-15) will head to New Orleans to face the Pelicans.