Spurs guard Devonte’ Graham has been suspended without pay for two games by the NBA, the league announced today in a press release (Twitter link).
The suspension stems from a 2022 misdemeanor charge of driving while impaired. Graham pleaded guilty to the charge in June and was subsequently sentenced to 12 months of probation, per TMZ Sports.
As TMZ details, Graham was initially charged in July 2022 after police alleged that he was driving 63 miles per hour in a 40 MPH zone while intoxicated in his hometown of Raleigh, North Carolina. The incident occurred at around 3:00 am.
Graham was a member of the Pelicans at the time of his arrest but was traded from New Orleans to San Antonio at the 2023 deadline in a deal involving Josh Richardson. He appeared in a total of 73 games for the two teams last season, averaging 7.4 points and 2.7 assists in 18.3 minutes per night, with a shooting line of .374/.352/.748.
Graham remains under contract with the Spurs on a guaranteed $12.1MM cap hit for 2023/24; his contract also covers ’24/25, but only $2.85MM of his $12.65MM salary for that year is guaranteed.
The two-game suspension, which Graham will serve during the first two games of the 2023/24 regular season as long as he’s healthy and remains under contract, will cost him $166,897. That figure represents 2/145ths of his $12.1MM salary.
If the Spurs, who are facing a potential roster crunch this fall, waive Graham prior to the season and he doesn’t sign a new contract right away, he’ll be considered to have served his suspension following San Antonio’s third game of the season.
I hate that these sorts of infractions get such small slaps on the wrist given how dangerous driving while intoxicated is. But this is par for the course in sports. And it probably won’t change, if ever, until a well-known active player kills someone in a crash, particularly if they had gotten off easy before.
Like, Ja waiving around a gun on social media like a toy is bad, and I do get why that’s worse from the league’s perspective. But, purely from the angle of safety, what is the difference between Ja maybe one day shooting someone vs a player killing someone in a crash? Yes, social media plays a big role here—it’s not like drunk drivers would be hosting a Twitch stream every time they drive—but it’s still a bit of a double standard.
Of course, one could argue it’s the law’s job to deal with players in situations like this, but we all know the rich and connected get off easy. Just wish the league would come out with some 6-8ish game suspensions instead. There’s no excuse for these wealthy individuals to be driving drunk anywhere when they can pay for an Uber.
I wouldn’t be opposed to a more stringent punishment for this. About what Ja got for the first gun incident (7 games I think?) would be appropriate.
I agree with your point whole heartedly… I must say, however, that it’s a rare instance where the slaps on the wrist are not reserved for the rich and famous. I either know or know of dozens of people who have at least two DWIs and haven’t spent a single day of jail time. The only person I know of who DID do jail time was a guy who spent 22 days in jail after his FOURTH conviction. I’m close to the opinion that “DWI” should be changed to “intent to commit serious bodily harm or manslaughter.”
Missing 2 games and 166,897 dollars is hardly a slap on the wrist. To merit jail time he would have to have injured someone or damaged property. His fine amounts to the average yearly earnings of 3 American families. I agree that his sentence was light. If our nation had affordable enough mass transit the man’s license should be suspended during the entire year of probation. That said a 3 strikes and your out rule should be enforced on dui’s.I also believe we need a national component to driver’s licenses. That way someone can’t just move to another state when their license is suspended or revokedand get another license. I’m trying to balance reality with the need to protect society. Obviously treatment should be mandated after any DUI. Certainly if it is repeated. That said the consequences need to escalate with each repetition of the offense. And with the severity of the offense. Obviously if you kill someone while driving drunk Jail time and a manslaughter charge are in order. To say nothing of the cost of restitution. I don’t know how much alcohol Graham had in his system. If he was barely over , way over the limit or below it. An officer can charge someone with being under the influence when they are below the limit but their behavior indicates they are under the influence. Driving 63 miles per hour on a 40 miles per hour zone would be enough. A year of probation and 167 grand plus fines and legal fees seems about right for a 1st offense where no one got hurt. I would imagine his probation will include drug tests and prohibit his use of alcohol. It may also require him go through rehab. That’s enough to make a reasonable man think about what he did. If it happens again then it’ll be time to throw the book at him.
With what he makes, his lost salary is the equivalent of about $1,034 for somebody making $75,000 per year.
Which is about half what a regular guy would pay in fines for a first DUI.
Raiders wr already did it and is getting off lightly. Considering he murdered someone in a dui accident he should get 10 years in prison minimum. House arrest after a drunk murder is horribly offensive to normal people because any non famous person would be in prison, not house arrest. Graham was nothing close to as bad as that incident, and for that reason isn’t getting anything close to any real trouble.
Ruggs’ case is so much more complicated than you’re letting on. He’ll get 10 years because the was a realistic possibility of the courts suppressing the result of his blood draw at the hospital. Had that happened he wouldn’t have even been convicted of DUI. You really need to look into these things if you’re going to talk so assuredly about them
He still murdered someone in a car accident and even if he wasn’t impared, I view that as much worse than a DUI arrest with no harm done to anyone. I think all DUI’s are dumb especially for people that can afford rides anywhere any time.
If some can’t afford a ride home, they really can’t afford to be out drinking in the first place.
Does anyone know why it’s 2/145’s instead of 2/82’s of salary? Is it done by league days instead of games or something? Seems stupid.
Players are paid to be available to the team for at least 145 days. That includes practice and preseason games.