With the 2023-2024 NBA season soon beginning, the NBA community has turned its gaze once again to Ja Morant and his complicated situation with the Memphis Grizzlies. Many fans will be aware that the Grizzlies’ star point guard found himself in a lot of trouble due to multiple incidents in which he appeared to associate himself with firearms.
While Morant never actually did anything illegal, he was still heavily scrutinized and punished by the league for his actions. Not only did he have to undergo psychological counseling, but he was also suspended for the first 25 games of the 2023-2024 NBA season.
The Memphis Grizzlies open up the NBA Season against the Pelicans on October 25th.
Ja Morant will not be playing until December 19th. (25 game suspension)
What will be the Grizzlies record through the first 25 games? #BackToTheGrind pic.twitter.com/2qoCYxM9aF
— DRoseMuse (@DerrickRoseMuse) October 3, 2023
This is certainly devastating to both the Memphis Grizzlies team and their fanbase. Thankfully, the Grizzlies head coach delivered promising news on the Morant situation that might lead fans to feel a sense of reassurance that this NBA season is not completely lost. With that being said, let us take a closer look and find out more.
Will Ja Morant play for the Memphis Grizzlies next season?
There is no denying the incredible talent and skill that Ja Morant possesses. Throughout his young NBA career so far, he has averaged 22.4 points, 4.8 rebounds and 7.4 assists. More importantly, his athleticism and high-flying dunks instantly transformed him into a fan favorite among the Memphis Grizzlies fan base. However, his off-court behavior has earned him a 25-game suspension that will start once the NBA season begins.
Knowing that Ja will not be on the court for almost a quarter of the season is certainly a cause for worry among Grizzlies fans. Thankfully, head coach Taylor Jenkins sent out a statement indicating that Morant will still be traveling with the team and focusing on getting even better.
“Great dialogs obviously with the league, from our understanding right now outside of not being able to play in preseason games and the first 25 regular season games, he’s going to be around us full-time…Involved in practices, our vitamin structure, traveling with the team. That’s every indication that we’ve gotten from the league so he’s part of our group.”
Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins gives a surprising update on Ja Morant’s availability during his suspension 👀https://t.co/PbeI8l4hGe
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) October 3, 2023
Jenkins further emphasized, “Obviously it’s a unique circumstance we’re going to have to navigate. I think everyone understands it and is going to be better prepared to go into the season knowing that he’s going to be training his tail off still fully-integrated with the team, and our group’s going to be handling their business as we’ve always done.”
We are certainly glad to see that Morant will be made a part of the team’s activities and will be training with them as they conduct their business. Hopefully, being out of the public gaze and focusing on this game will allow him to play at a higher level when he makes his anticipated return.