Three prominent NBA players—Trae Young of the Washington Wizards, Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies, and Jonathan Kuminga of the Golden State Warriors—are currently sidelined with injuries, raising questions about the league's enforcement of its collective bargaining agreement. Trade rumors swirl around Morant and Kuminga, while Young's extended absence has sparked speculation of a potential investigation. Former player Lou Williams advocates for a fresh start for Morant via trade, similar to Young's recent move.
The NBA faces scrutiny over the absences of key stars, potentially testing the limits of the 2023 collective bargaining agreement's Player Participation Policy. Trae Young, recently traded from the Atlanta Hawks to the Washington Wizards, has not played since December 27 following a loss to the Miami Heat. Listed with MCL and quad injuries, he is out through the All-Star break, missing his first 16 games with the Wizards. The injury's legitimacy is questioned, as it reportedly occurred in a game where observers recall no such incident. The league may investigate under rules against long-term shutdowns for star players under 35 who were recent All-Stars, potentially fining teams for actions affecting game integrity.
Ja Morant has been out since a calf contusion on January 2, missing subsequent games and notably absent from the NBA's Berlin showcase. Rumors suggest he has played his last game for Memphis, with the Grizzlies actively seeking a trade. Morant, averaging 19.0 points on 40 percent shooting in 18 games this season—his lowest scoring and efficiency marks since 2020-21—has faced team tensions, including a suspension after criticizing coaching. Former NBA player Lou Williams, on FanDuelTV’s Run It Back, called for a trade: “I think it’s time for a fresh start for Ja Morant—I think it’s time for a fresh start for the Memphis Grizzlies.” He noted the Grizzlies are also shopping Jaren Jackson Jr., and highlighted Young's apparent relief post-trade. Interest from teams like the Miami Heat exists, but no deal is imminent.
Jonathan Kuminga, trade-eligible as of Thursday, was scratched from a January 2 Warriors-Thunder game due to lower back soreness, contributing to a 37-point loss. He has since accumulated DNPs, with team sources suspecting the injury may not be genuine amid his ongoing saga with Golden State. Unlike Young and Morant, Kuminga's situation involves coaching decisions rather than formal shutdowns, though his back could flare up if needed. These cases illustrate CBA challenges: the league can probe dubious injuries but grants teams latitude on health determinations. Fines for violations are minor compared to draft pick benefits for tanking teams like the Wizards. Broader concerns include potential copycats, such as with Utah's Lauri Markkanen, though player-instigated holds like Morant's are rarer. The NBA must balance enforcement without overreaching into team-player dynamics.
