The impact of Ja Morant’s suspension could extend beyond this season.
On March 15, announced the NBA that Morant had been suspended eight games for conduct detrimental to the league after he live-streamed a video of himself “holding a firearm while intoxicated while visiting a Denver-area nightclub.” Not only was he suspended without pay, but his absence could impact his All-NBA case, which is tied to his future earnings.
That’s what Morant’s suspension cost him and the value of another All-NBA selection.
How much did Ja Morant’s suspension cost him?
Choice no. 2 in the 2019 NBA Draft, Morant is in the last year of his rookie contract. His salary has increased every season he has been in the NBA, going up from $8.7 million in 2019-20 y $12.1 million in 2022-23.
According to ESPN’s Bobby MarksMorant’s eight-game suspension cost him a total of $668,659.
The suspension will cost Morant a total of $668,659.
His $194.3 million 5-year rookie max extension kicks off next season.
There is a much bigger picture to all of this than just the financial element. https://t.co/5od4VTFjV2
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) March 15, 2023
This is the second highest number of losses missed by a player due to a fine or suspension in the 2022-23 season, for Spotractrailing only Kyrie Irving, whose eight-game suspension in November cost him $2 million.
Because Ja Morant’s future salary is tied to All-NBA selection
Prior to the 2022-23 season, Morant agreed to a five-year extension with the Grizzlies. projected worth $194 million. His extension could increase to $233 million if he is named Most Valuable Player, Defensive Player of the Year or earns an All-NBA selection this season.
Of the three, Morant is most likely to earn a spot on one of the three All-NBA teams. It is not considered as such a leading MVP candidate and his teammate Jaren Jackson Jr. is the main reason Memphis has the championship second best defense.
| Season | If Morant doesn’t make it All-NBA | Morant is an All-NBA |
| 2023-24 | $ 33.500.000 | $ 40.200.000 |
| 2024-25 | $ 36.180.000 | $ 43.416.000 |
| 2025-26 | $ 38.860.000 | $ 46.632.000 |
| 2026-27 | $ 41.540.000 | $ 49.848.000 |
| 2027-28 | $ 44.220.000 | $ 53.064.000 |
| Total | $ 194.300.000 | $ 233.160.000 |
Morant made the All-NBA Second Team last season averaging 27.4 points, 6.7 assists and 5.7 rebounds in 57 games. He is averaging 27.1 points, 8.2 assists and 6.0 rebounds in 53 games this season. Morant may end up playing more games this season — the Grizzlies have 11 games remaining on their schedule — but he faces tougher competition at the guard position than he did last season.
“It would be hard to see him go All-NBA at this point,” Brian Windhorst said on ESPN’s The Hoop Collective podcast. “Not because of the suspension, but because the competition for the watch posts is so high and voters are already trying to break ties so to speak.
“Regardless of what you think, if you’re not available to your team for a self-inflicted situation like this, it affects your candidacy.”
Here are some of the players Morant could compete against for the six available All-NBA guard spots:
- James Harden, 76ers
- Jrue Holiday, Bucks
- Darius Garland, Cavalieri
- Donovan Mitchell, Knights
- Trae Young, Falchi
- De’Aaron Fox, Re
- Jalen Brunson, Knicks
- Luka Doncic, Maverick
- Kyrie Irving, Maverick
- Tyrese Haliburton, Pacers
- Devin Booker, Soli
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder
- Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves
- Damian Lillard, Trail Blazers
- Stephen Curry, Guerrieri
Morant will be making big bucks on his next contract regardless, but he has nearly 40 million reasons to go after this season’s All-NBA accomplishments.
