Update: Ja Morant Suspended 8 Games by NBA (Could return to court Wed 3/22)

[ProcessDoctor]

When is he supposed to return?

[Ballerhogger]

In reality he got 8 day plus break for the playoffs . At least he lost money I guess

[JDR720]

Read on Twitter

[zzaj]

That first bit about it being “entirely up to the commissioner” isn’t exactly true. While as far as I know, it’s legal to have firearms on a privately owned plane, there is some legal grey area depending on who is flying the plane. If the aircraft is in any way commercial (including the pilot or staffing) then other statutes apply—firearms have to be in cases, free of ammunition prior to boarding, and ammunition stored separately in a container. Those laws I believe are punishable by up to 10 years in prison. And of course, there are separate state laws regarding bringing firearms into specific jurisdictions…

Two different issues. The NBA is not a court of law. The CBA sets the rules under which players agree to operate in official NBA business settings, and firearm involvement designates punishment in the NBA Constitution and Bylaws Section 35(d). even strip club videos could trigger it without a gun. It's purposefully broad because who can imagine what some knucklehead might do in the future?

35(d) says:
The Commissioner shall have the power to suspend for a definite or indefinite period, or to impose a fine not exceeding $50,000, or inflict both such suspension and fine upon any Player who, in his opinion, (i) shall have made or caused to be made any statement having, or that was designed to have, an effect prejudicial or detrimental to the best interests of basketball or of the Association or of a Member, or (ii) shall have been guilty of conduct that does not conform to standards of morality or fair play, that does not comply at all times with all federal, state, and local laws, or that is prejudicial or detrimental to the Association.

Even if Morant faced legal charges, which doesn't look like will happen now, the NBA would still add its own separate punishment. Just the controversy itself is plenty enough grounds to be judged detrimental to the league. Stern took the easiest road and hopes it doesn't come back to haunt him. There are still people here saying "What did he do wrong?" not understanding when you represent hundreds of billions of dollars, you don't eff with the money.

Sure...and thanks for making these things clearer. We're saying the same thing. I simply meant that IF Ja were to end up going to prison (which absolutely could have happened if this thing spiraled) there would have been another track for Morant to miss games, one that is not in the hands of the commissioner at all. Both the Commissioner AND the DOJ have a say in whether or not Morant would miss time, in that instance...