Ja Morant issues statement addressing latest suspension

“I’ve had time to reflect and I realize how much hurt I’ve caused,” Morant said. “I want to apologize to the NBA, the Grizzlies, my teammates and the city of Memphis. To Adam Silver, Zach Kleiman and Robert Pera — who gave me the opportunity to be a professional athlete and have supported me — I’m sorry for the harm I’ve done. To the kids who look up to me, I’m sorry for failing you as a role model. I promise I’m going to be better. To all of my sponsors, I’m going to be a better representation of our brands. And to all of my fans, I’m going to make it up to you, I promise."

“I’m spending the offseason and my suspension continuing to work on my own mental health and decision making. I’m also going to be training so that I’m ready to go when I can be back on the court. I know my teammates are going to hold it down and I’m so sorry I won’t be out there with you at the beginning of the season.

“I hope you’ll give me a chance to prove to you over time I’m a better man than what I’ve been showing you.”

Morant’s latest apology was a bit more in-depth than the one he issued immediately after the second gun incident, which some felt may have been generated by a chatbot.

The issue for Morant is that he keeps putting himself in compromising situations. He has lost the benefit of the doubt, and rightfully so. Time will tell if his future actions match his apologies and statements.