The NBA is close to announcing the results of the Ja Morant investigation and, as a result, a likely suspension. The situation, however, can be much more serious than imagined.
The controversy over public displays of the young star with guns is not limited to videos on social media. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver suggested that the revelations, in fact, could even overshadow the title decision.
“I would say we probably could’ve brought it to a head now but we made the decision and I believe the players association agrees with us that it would be unfair to these players and these teams in the middle of this series to announce the results of that investigation and given that we are of course in the offseason,” Silver said.
“Morant is now been suspended by the Memphis Grizzlies indefinitely so nothing would have changed anyway in the next few weeks.” Silver added.
Morant is a recidivist in the same conduct in a matter of a few months. He had already been sidelined from eight games in March because of the first blatant with weapons on social media.
It was, incidentally, the most serious of several accusations and controversies involving the Memphis Grizzlies star.
The young man returned from suspension with the awareness speech, but in early May he made the same mistake.
The impression among reporters present at the interview is that the NBA is preparing a heavy suspension for Ja Morant However, Silver was keen to emphasise that there is no definition of punishment.
And above all, the league does not want to play the role of mere judge and enforcer. The executive understands that a departure needs to be part of the shipowner’s recovery process.
“I don’t think we know, to begin with, what it’s going to take to change his behaviour. He’s a great kid who’s made some mistakes, but he’s still very young.” Silver said.
“I hope that once we get to the end of this process, we will have appropriate disciplinary action.” he added.
