The Memphis Grizzlies will enter the 2023-24 NBA season without Ja Morant.
The NBA has suspended the All-Star point guard for 25 games after he was seen flaunting a firearm in an Instagram Live video on May 13. It was the second time in three months that Morant had ran afoul of the league’s code of conduct, following a well-documented incident in March in which he flashed a handgun in a Denver club. That episode resulted in an eight-game suspension that cost Morant $669,000 in lost salary.
ESPN Sources: The NBA has suspended Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant 25 games to start the 2023-2024 season. pic.twitter.com/EGKRU7WqwO
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 16, 2023
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver didn’t mince words when doling out Morant’s latest punishment. "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," he said in a prepared statement. "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."
News of Morant's suspension quickly filtered down to the world of sports betting, where the prospect of his extended absence has already had a noticeable impact. At DraftKings, for instance, the Grizzlies’ NBA championship odds have gone from +1,900 to +2,200 in a matter of hours. FanDuel, meanwhile, has Memphis pegged at +2,300, well behind fellow Western contenders like the Denver Nuggets, Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, and Los Angeles Lakers. That's what happens when you lose a player capable of dropping 30 points on any given night, as Morant did 21 times last season.
Memphis has been here before
If there’s any consolation to be had for the Grizzlies, it’s that they weathered the storm well when Morant missed eight games in March. Memphis compiled a respectable 6-2 record during that span, pulling off impressive victories over the Warriors and Mavs. A big reason for their ability to tread water was the stellar play of backup point guard Tyus Jones, who averaged 15.3 points, 7.8 assists, and 4.3 rebounds per game while Morant sat. The Duke product is the highest-paid reserve point guard in the league and is more than capable of running the Grizzlies’ offense until Christmas.
Memphis also has a pair of studs in reigning defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr. and former All-Rookie selection Desmond Bane, who averaged a career-high 21.5 points per game in 2022-23 and has shown an ability to take over games for long stretches with his lights-out shooting.
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The next few months will be telling
It’s never easy losing a player of Morant’s caliber for any period of time, but the Grizzlies at least have the luxury of being able to plan for his absence over the next four months. The team is equipped with the No. 25, 45, and 56 picks in the upcoming 2023 NBA Draft and will have money to spend in free agency after parting ways with polarizing wing Dillon Brooks.
The Grizzlies remain a long shot in light of today’s news, but they shouldn’t be counted out altogether if GM Zach Kleiman manages his roster well over the summer. With a few smart moves and the return of Morant in 2024, the Grizz could still roar into the playoffs. Opponents would be wise not to poke the bear.
