Adam Silver reveals potentially 'severe' punishment for ex-Grizzlies forward

Throughout the years, many members of the Memphis Grizzlies have been issued league-mandated punishments for their unfavorable actions.

From legends such as Zach Randolph to, more recently, Ja Morant, a slew of players who have suited up for Grind City have been on the receiving end of the NBA commissioner's disciplinary decisions.

However, it appears a former member of the organization may get the book thrown at them for committing what is being described as "a cardinal sin," as Adam Silver has gone on record to note that he's looking into "an enormous range of discipline" as the association investigates former Grizzlies forward Jontay Porter for what ESPN has labeled "multiple instances of betting irregularities."

Ex-Grizzlies forward Jontay Porter facing possibly 'severe' punishment

"It's a cardinal sin, what he's accused of, in the NBA. The ultimate extreme option I have is to ban him from the game. That's the level of authority I have here because there's nothing more serious when it comes to gambling and betting on our games. That's a direct player involvement. The investigation is ongoing, but the consequences could be very severe."

- Adam Silver

According to ESPN, the primary focus of this investigation deals with "prop bets involving Porter from games on Jan. 26 and March 20."

Further analysis provided by the publication regarding the ongoing situation reads as follows:

"In the game on Jan. 26 against the LA Clippers, there was increased betting interest on the under for Porter props, which for the night were set at around 5.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists. There was also an over/under for Porter's made 3-pointers, which was 0.5.

That evening, Porter played just four minutes before leaving the game because of what the Raptors said was an aggravation of an eye injury he had suffered four days earlier against the Memphis Grizzlies. Porter did not score against the Clippers but had three rebounds and one assist, and he did not attempt a 3, meaning the under hit on all of the props.

The next day, as part of a daily report to users on betting results, DraftKings Sportsbook stated that the under on Porter's 3-pointers was the biggest money winner for bettors of any NBA player props from games that evening.

Porter played 19 minutes two days later and scored 12 points with 7 rebounds and 3 assists.

On March 20 against the Sacramento Kings, Porter played just three minutes before exiting because of what the Raptors said was an illness and did not return. He did not score after attempting one shot and had two rebounds.

Sportsbooks had his over/unders set at around 7.5 points and 5.5 rebounds.

The next day, DraftKings Sportsbook reported in a media release that Porter's prop bets were the No. 1 moneymaker from the night in the NBA."

Spending the vast majority of his NBA career in the developmental league, Porter signed on with the Grizzlies in March of 2020 after having gone undrafted in that past June's draft. He would go on to see 11 total games of action and record 2.0 points and 1.3 rebounds on 53.3 percent shooting from the floor before being waived that July.

Since his departure from the Grizzlies, Porter has logged minutes with several G League teams including the Wisconsin Herd and Motor City Cruise.

This season, he has served as a member of the Toronto Raptors via a two-way deal. The 24-year-old has seen 26 games of action and is currently averaging 4.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and just shy of a block.