The NBA season will begin without Ja Morant being seen on the court, but the league will be careful to make sure he doesn’t disappear from view, lose consciousness or have any chance of recovery. There is.
Morant was suspended for 25 games and won’t be able to return until December. Morant’s display of firearms on social media and the details of the incident prompted the league to take action, which was announced after the NBA Finals.
However, Morant is practicing with the Memphis Grizzlies and will be allowed to travel with the team during his suspension, rather than being banned until his return.
“Here’s a 24-year-old player who’s figuring out his path as a young player in the league,” NBA executive vice president Joe Dumars said Wednesday in a conference call with some media. ” he said. “Incredible talent. And a lot of things went down on him early in his career. Personally, I think the worst thing to do is to completely exclude this kid from everything on the team. I think that’s the case.
“I mean, 25 games is 25 games, but I think for this 24-year-old kid to continue to grow, he needs to continue to practice with the team every day, continue to participate in the team, team meetings and things like that. It’s really about young people. I think it will help your growth. He needs to be in that environment. ”
The league’s June 16 statement said Morant’s return would require certain conditions to be met, but was opposed by the National Basketball Players Association. A statement released today called the discipline inconsistent with league standards, excessive and “unfair.”
Morant has been photographed at Grizzlies practice and has been seen interacting with teammates. He’s still likely to be a key piece to the league’s future marketing and appeal to a younger demographic.
The league is not paying Morant any special benefits, as he is equally allowed to stay at the team’s practice facility during his suspension. But Dumars said the league is in ongoing contact with Morant and his camp.
“Everyone is working together to make sure this kid has a smooth transition back into the league,” Dumars said.