

|
|
10/02/23 01:08:00
Printable Page
10/02 13:06 CDT NBA will allow Ja Morant to travel, practice with Grizzlies
during his suspension
NBA will allow Ja Morant to travel, practice with Grizzlies during his
suspension
By TERESA M. WALKER
AP Sports Writer
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) --- Two-time All-Star point guard Ja Morant will be able to
travel with the Memphis Grizzlies, practice with his teammates and even take
part in shootarounds throughout his 25-game suspension to start the NBA season,
the team confirmed Monday.
Then the Grizzlies believe Morant will have to leave arenas a few hours before
tipoff under the terms that the NBA is allowing him to work under throughout
his suspension.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced Morant's second suspension in June,
making clear the guard must stop his "alarming" habit of flashing guns on
social media. The suspension came a month after a second video of Morant
flashing a handgun was streamed online.
Zach Kleiman, the Grizzlies' president of basketball operations and general
manager, said the approach is great for both Morant and the Grizzlies. The key
will be Morant continuing to "stay on track," according to Kleiman.
"There's steps that I think Ja is continuing to take that are really positive
and in the right direction," Kleiman said. "It's great to have him here. I
think he's put himself in a position where there's no reason why he can't keep
following through on this. So we're glad he's here and can't wait to have him
back."
Morant isn't talking Monday as part of the Grizzlies' media day. Kleiman called
the suspension "appropriate" after the NBA draft and challenged the guard to
change the behavior that led to two bans in four months for the No. 2 overall
pick in 2019 and the 2020 Rookie of the Year.
Coach Taylor Jenkins said they have a full plan for Morant to help him outside
of his work with the Grizzlies. Now they know exactly what Morant can do with
his teammates, which should have the guard ready for his return Dec. 19 when
Memphis visits New Orleans.
"It's great having that clarity for sure," Jenkins said of learning the
guardrails for what Morant will be allowed to do. "He's so impactful for our
team."
___
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
|