The National Basketball Players Association isn’t happy with Ja Morant’s 25-game suspension.
Shortly after the NBA announced punishment for the Grizzlies star Friday, NBPA executive director Tamika Tamaglio issued a statement calling the suspension “excessive and inappropriate.”
“Ja has expressed his remorse and accepted responsibility for his actions, and we support him unequivocally as he does whatever is necessary to represent himself, our players and our league in the best possible light,” the statement read.
“As to the discipline imposed, which keeps him off the court until December and requires some unstated conditions to be met before he can return, we believe it is excessive and inappropriate for a number of reasons including the facts involved in this particular incident, and that it is not fair and consistent with past discipline in our league. We will explore with Ja all options and next steps.”
An appeal of Morant’s suspension is “under consideration,” according to Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes.
Morant’s latest suspension came after he was seen holding what appeared to be a firearm in a social media live stream on May 13, just months after he was suspended eight games for flashing a gun 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,” said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver in a statement announcing the suspension. “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.”
Morant is expected to “formulate and fulfill a program with the league that directly addresses the circumstances that led him to repeat this destructive behavior” before he can return to the court, according to the NBA’s statement.
In a statement of his own, Morant was apologetic to the league and fans, despite the NBPA’s misgivings.
“I’m sorry for the harm I’ve done,” he said. “To the kids who look up to me, I’m sorry for failing you as a role model. I promise I’m going to be better … I’m spending the offseason and my suspension continuing to work on my own mental health and decision making.
“I’m also going to be training so that I’m ready to go when I can be back on the court. … I hope you’ll give me the chance to prove to you over time I’m a better man than what I’ve been showing.”