Memphis star Ja Morant got hit with a 25-game suspension to start next season levied by the NBA on Friday.

But considering his history, there is a feeling both around the league and even inside the Grizzlies organization that the gun-waving guard dodged a bullet, no pun intended.

Morant drew the suspension for flashing a firearm in an Instagram Live stream, and likely made it worse because — after having just been suspended for waving a gun in a Denver-area nightclub — he’d sat face-to-face with NBA commissioner Adam Silver and promised to amend his ways.

“I’ve had time to reflect and I realize how much hurt I’ve caused,” Morant said Friday in a statement. “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 that 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.”

At this point, it’s probably wiser to pay attention of Morant’s actions, not his words.

Because, frankly, he has shown his promises mean little.

Morant has been investigated by the NBA three times in a year.

After the eight-game suspension in March he spent time in a Florida counseling facility and vowed change, but by May 13 was posing on video with another gun in a car.

With Morant, a two-time All-Star, seen as a potential future face of the NBA, the league is clearly concerned with what that face is showing.

Silver cited those aforementioned young fans who look up to — and have been let down by — Morant.

“Ja Morant’s decision to once again wield a firearm on social media is alarming and disconcerting given his similar conduct in March for which he was already suspended eight games,” Silver said in a statement.

“The potential for other young people to emulate Ja’s conduct is particularly concerning. Under these circumstances, we believe a suspension of 25 games is appropriate and makes clear that engaging in reckless and irresponsible behavior with guns will not be tolerated.”

The suspension is nearly three times the length of his initial one, but still far less than the half-season some foresaw.

It’s also shorter than the 30 games that Hornets forward Miles Bridges got for a felony domestic violence charge.

Silver has taken the stance that, unlike Bridges, this isn’t a legal matter but rather a safety issue.

That meant the league didn’t have to be beholden to any charges or ruling.

But if the NBA had any illusions of avoiding pushback from the players’ union, it was misguided.

“Ja has expressed his remorse and accepted responsibility for his actions, and we support him unequivocally as he does whatever is necessary to represent himself, our players and our league in the best possible light,” NBPA executive director Tamika Tremaglio said.

“As to the discipline imposed, which keeps him off the court until December and requires some unstated conditions to be met before he can return, we believe it is excessive and inappropriate for a number of reasons including the facts involved in this particular incident, and that it is not fair and consistent with past discipline in our league. We will explore with Ja all options and next steps.”

This affair is expected to cost Morant anywhere from $50 million to $60 million.

He didn’t make the All-NBA team this past season, which saw him lose out on $40 million added salary.

He will lose $7.6 million in salary for the 25-game suspension according to ex-Nets assistant GM Bobby Marks, now with ESPN.

Throw in business lost from sponsorships, and the cost is eye-watering.

One only can hope for Morant it’s eye-opening.

“I’m spending the offseason and my suspension continuing to work on my own mental health and decision making,” Morant said. “I hope you’ll give me the chance to prove to you over time I’m a better man than what I’ve been showing you.”