NBA Commissioner Adam Silver gives update on when NBA will make a decision on Ja Morant
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver met with media members ahead of the NBA Finals and gave a clear answer on when an announcement will be made on Ja Morant's playing status for next season.
The Memphis Grizzlies star could be suspended after an Instagram Live video surfaced on May 14 of Morant appearing to brandish a gun. The NBA announced that it was reviewing the situation, and that review seems to be closed.
“We’ve uncovered a fair amount of additional information," Silver said. "We probably could have brought it to a head now, but we’ve made the decision that it would be unfair to these players and these teams to announce that decision in the middle of this series.”
This was the second instance of Morant appearing in an Instagram Live video that led to an NBA investigation. After the first incident in March, Morant was suspended eight games for conduct detrimental to the team.
Before Morant's suspension was announced, it was revealed that he met with Silver and other members of the league office. In that meeting, Silver said it was made clear what the league expected from one of its rising star players.
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"I was at least left with the sense that he was taking this incredibly seriously," Silver said on May 16.
Silver's tone revealed how disappointed he was in Morant. The eight-game suspension was followed by a series of actions from Morant that led Silver and members of the Grizzlies organization to believing that the 23-year-old star had turned a corner.
Now, Silver is calling for Morant to create better circumstances around him and questioning whether the initial suspension length was strong enough to deliver the appropriate message.
"I don't think we yet know what it will take to change his behavior," Silver said on Thursday.
Morant released his first statement on the same night as Silver's initial comments on May 16, which came two days after the video surfaced.
“I know I’ve disappointed a lot of people who have supported me," Morant said in a statement. "This is a journey and I recognize there is more work to do. My words may not mean much right now, but I take full accountability for my actions. I’m committed to continuing to work on myself.”
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Adam Silver updates Ja Morant suspension status at NBA Finals
