Grizzlies Break Silence on Ja Morant's 25-Game Suspension

Speaking with the media following the NBA Draft on Thursday night, Memphis Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman addressed Ja Morant's latest incident and 25-game suspension.

"What's Ja going to commit to going forward? What are the steps that he's prepared to take for the NBA to grant the ability to rejoin the team after serving the suspension? There's no strain in the relationship, but we have high expectations of the standard that Ja's going to have to hold himself to," Kleiman said.

Zach Kleiman’s first media comments on Ja Morant’s suspension:

They are in communication with Ja, and there’s been transparency on his next steps: pic.twitter.com/Hop20NIh8y
— Parker Fleming (@PAKA_FLOCKA) June 23, 2023

On Morant's behavior, Kleiman was honest, saying there's no room for him to be taking steps back at this point. As the Grizzlies see it, everything needs to be forward progress right now.

"There's been instances in the past where Ja has shown recognition and remorse with respect to what was really a problematic pattern of behavior," Kleiman added. "Where there were things that we would challenge him on, that we would call out, and it was two steps forward, one step back, and there's no room for steps back at this point."

The Grizzlies are understandably upset with Morant's pattern of behavior, as it's not only a bad look for their organization, but it now leaves them without their best player for the first 25 games of next season. Kleiman was very clear in his comments, stating that Morant needs to be better going forward.

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