Yes Morant has quickly become a superstar. The Memphis Grizzlies guard has unique skills and is often the most gifted athlete on the court each night.
His high-flying slam dunks have taken the internet by storm in recent years, and he’s helped lead his team to multiple playoff appearances and a division title. Last July, the Grizzlies rewarded Morant with a five-year Supermax contract extension.
The contract included incentives that entitled Morant to nearly a quarter billion dollars if he hit certain thresholds this season.
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Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies reacts during the second quarter of their game against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on February 23, 2023 in Philadelphia. (Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Now Morant has garnered a lot of attention online but for reasons unrelated to his on-pitch performances.
Morant briefly flashed a gun at a strip club near Denver in an Instagram live video on March 4. The resulting fallout resulted in an eight-game suspension without pay for league-damaging behavior, the NBA said Wednesday.
But the fallout from Morant’s actions could cost the athlete an estimated $39 million more.
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Under an NBA rule known as the “Derrick Rose Rule,” a team can pay 30% of its salary cap to any player who signs a maximum designated rookie extension if that player meets certain qualifications.
Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies dribbles during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee on December 31, 2022. (Justin Ford/Getty Images)
Eligible qualifications include a player who has won the MVP award, two Defensive Player of the Year awards in the past three seasons, or two All-NBA team appearances. At least one of these qualifications must be met before the maximum contract occurs in order for the player to receive the raise.
Morant already has one appearance on the All-NBA team and appeared to be on course for a second appearance until the incident earlier this month.
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According to Spotrac, a second All-NBA team appearance would see the value of Morant’s extension go from $194 million to $233 million.
The problem is, Morant may not be playing enough games this season to qualify for an All-NBA team. If he plays in every remaining game after returning from his suspension, Morant would finish the season with 65 games played.
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant goes up to a dunk in the second half of the game against the New Orleans Pelicans in Memphis, Tennessee on March 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)
“I feel like in the past we didn’t know what was at stake,” Morant said in an interview with ESPN’s Jalen Rose on Wednesday.
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The Grizzlies managed to hold onto second place in the Western Conference while Morant was off the team. Memphis is hoping for a deep playoff run in the upcoming postseason — with help from Morant.
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