This has been quite the year for the Memphis Grizzlies and Ja Morant. A 25-game suspension to begin the 2023-24 season overshadowed the young star's accomplishments on the court, as the impact of his Instagram Live video where he was seen flashing a gun at the camera raised serious questions about his commitment to the league as a whole. Since then, Morant has truly evolved and matured with the help of the NBPA and NBA commissioner Adam Silver, who has regularly checked in with the 24-year-old as he takes the next steps in his journey.
Silver, who made it clear that he would be checking in with Morant throughout the year following his suspension, provided an update on the Grizzlies guard during a meeting with national sports editors at the league office in New York on Monday.
“He and I have checked in with each other over the course of the season, but more importantly, working with the players' association, we have regular check-ins with him and his team around him and have done that throughout the year,” Silver stated, via Damichael Cole of the Memphis Commercial Appeal. “All the reports have come back very positive.
“Working with the team and his personal management, having a stronger support team around him seems to be making a difference in his life.”
After returning from his suspension this season for the Grizzlies, Morant played just nine games before suffering a shoulder injury. In January, it was announced that Morant would undergo season-ending right shoulder surgery to address a tear in his labrum. He is expected to make a full recovery and be ready for the start of the 2024-25 season. Silver mentioned in his dialogue about Morant that he was “sorry” for this injury to have occurred given the work and character development that happened during his suspension.
Joe Dumars, the league's executive vice president and head of basketball operations, also provided his viewpoint on Morant's situation, claiming that the Grizzlies star owned up to his mistakes and did not make any excuses when meeting with the league office.
“He owned it and accepted his punishment,” Dumars said. “When I see that, I really feel like a guy has a chance to be better. You can't get better until you own something.”
The NBA has been very pleased with Morant's progress and maturity, which is why they are confident that his off-the-court drama has been put to rest.
Ja Morant, Grizzlies' underwhelming 2023-24 campaign
The Grizzlies finished the 2023-24 season with a 27-55 record, their worst since winning just 24 games during the 2008-09 season. They ended up missing the playoffs, snapping their streak of three consecutive postseason appearances.
In addition to Morant's suspension and getting injured upon his return, the Grizzlies also had to deal with injuries to Desmond Bane, Marcus Smart, Steven Adams, who was traded to the Houston Rockets in the middle of the season, and several other secondary players. A total of 33 different players stepped foot on the court for the Grizzlies this season as a result of their endless list of injuries.
Overall, while this season may be viewed as a disappointing one around the league, the Grizzlies and head coach Taylor Jenkins should be pleased with the way the year turned out. To win 27 games without virtually your entire rotation is impressive, especially when you consider that Memphis basically fielded a team full of G League talents during the second half of the season.
As they prepare for the offseason and the 2024-25 season, the Grizzlies will be getting Morant, Bane, and Smart back from injuries. Other impactful players such as Brandon Clarke, Santi Aldama, Derrick Rose, and Luke Kennard are expected to return as well, giving the Grizzlies the depth and talent needed next to Jaren Jackson Jr., who seemed to be the only player who could remain healthy in Memphis this season.
Morant, who switched agencies recently, has done everything needed regarding both basketball and his personal life to steady his own ship. As he continues to work with the NBPA and Silver, Morant is set to only become a better man. The stages of his development over the last year have been well- documented, and the NBA is hopeful that the worst of times are behind him.
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