By the end of the 2021-22 season, Ja Morant looked like he was ready to be the next face of the NBA or at least one of them, as LeBron James and Stephen Curry near the conclusion of their careers. However, by the month of March, we came to see a different side of his personality, which might now cost him millions from his $33,500,000 salary next year. Earlier this year, Morant received a lot of backlash for flaunting a gun during an Instagram live session. Just when it seemed that the public uproar had started to subside, the 23-year-old proceeded to do the same thing once again, triggering a bigger wave of flak from the NBA community. However, Morant’s Grizzlies teammate, Jaren Jackson Jr., still believes that the talented point guard can learn from his mistakes and come back stronger than ever.
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Flashing a gun during a live stream for the second time in 2 months got the Grizzlies’ centerpiece an indefinite suspension from his team. NBA commissioner Adam Silver is yet to announce the league’s decision on the star point guard’s suspension, which reportedly will come after the Finals. However, there are rumors of it spanning a minimum of 40 games. But it seems like JJJ will be there to support Morant through it.
Jaren Jackson Jr. extends his support saying Ja Morant “made mistakes”
The 2023 Defensive Player of the Year, Jaren Jackson Jr recently made an appearance on Podcast P with Paul George. During the conversation, he addressed the Ja Morant situation, saying that the 23-year-old is making mistakes, like everybody, while going through life’s trials and tribulations.
According to JJJ: “You’re always gonna make mistakes growing up… And [Ja] is the most popular player at this age probably ever… No matter what I stand by my brother.” The Grizzlies star also guaranteed that his 2x All-Star teammate will be back to run the league soon.
Jackson Jr. downplayed Morant’s actions highlighting the sheer amount of money and fame he has received in his early 20s. The 2020 Rookie of the Year’s teammate sounded hopeful that the former will mend his ways and return to the league a better and improved man.
However, Morant will lose an excruciating amount of money with every game he misses. His initial ban in March for flashing a gun in a Denver strip club was for just 8 games and cost him $668,639. Now that he has repeated the same mistake, the damage will be in millions.
Morant has already missed out on $39 million after failing to secure an All-NBA selection this year. The 2022 Most Improved Player will lose around $231k per game if he’s suspended for less than 20 games next season, as per the Collective Bargaining Agreement. The amount per contest might increase to $304,000 if the suspension exceeds 20 games. It will also likely affect his endorsement deals.
The threat on Morant’s endorsements
Ja has endorsements with mega-brands like Nike and Powerade. Both multi-million deals were in threat after his off-court shenanigans gained traction. Nike even stopped his first shoe, Ja 1s, from their app after the second incident.
However, they were put on sale last week on Nike’s SNKRS app for $110 and got sold out in hours. Reportedly, they are reselling for $200 as of now.
If Nike had thought of bringing some changes in the relationship or cutting their ties with the Memphis superstar altogether, they will have to rethink their decision. It is a matter of millions, after all.
