JJ Redick proposes a 16-game suspension for Ja Morant
On ESPN's First Take on Tuesday, JJ Redick said that Ja Morant should be suspended for 16 games after the Memphis Grizzlies star was once again seen brandishing a gun in a social media video.
Host Molly Qerim asked Redick how long should Morant sit for when the new season begins as this is a second violation. After confirming what Stephen A. Smith said he expected to come down from the league (25 games), Redick added some interesting context to his proposal.
There's plenty of speculation around how long Morant's latest ban could be, but by bringing up previous incidents, Redick presents a baseline for the viewer to understand why his number makes the most sense. He recalled Gilbert Arenas' 50-game ban for bringing a loaded gun into the Washington Wizards' locker room in during the 2009-10 season.
Yet what may be overlooked in light of the specifics around Morant are Redick's recall of discipline for other violations in the NBA. The player turned analyst mentioned suspensions for steroids ("cheating the game of basketball") or going into the stands to fight with fans (a callback to the infamous "Malice at the Palace") for moments that go beyond skirmishes on the court.
Even putting aside some of the league's longer suspensions for fighting, substance abuse and gambling, a 25-game suspension would be in line with what several players, including Phoenix Suns center DeAndre Ayton, were given in 2019 for PEDs. However, there's a long list of players who have been suspended far fewer contests for domestic violence and other serious criminal matters in which someone else was alleged to be harmed.
Unintentionally, Redicks' comments bring up a fair question: should the NBA drop the hammer on Morant for all of his off-court problems over the last few months or should they treat this latest instance in line with matters that are somewhat connected to the game itself? There may not be a right answer but regardless of what the number will be, plenty of fans and media members will say that Morant's latest suspension won't be long enough.
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