WASHINGTON — Gilbert Arenas has a court date and an apparent plea deal is in place, signaling a possible quick resolution to at least one side of a guns-in-the-locker-room confrontation that stained the NBA and jeopardized Arenas’ career.
Arenas was charged Thursday with felony gun possession — one count of carrying a pistol without a license — a crime that carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison. The charges were filed in D.C. Superior Court in an “information,” a document that indicates a plea bargain has been reached.
The charge came directly from prosecutors and not in the form of an indictment — even though a grand jury has been investigating — and Arenas was listed on the docket for a court appearance today.
Arenas has acknowledged storing four unloaded guns in his locker at the Verizon Center, saying he wanted to keep them away from his young children and didn’t know it was a violation of the city’s strict gun laws. He says he took them out of the locker Dec. 21 in a “misguided effort to play a joke” on a teammate.
The teammate, Javaris Crittenton, had his northern Virginia apartment searched by police looking for a handgun. No evidence was seized, according to court documents, and Crittenton has not been charged.
Wade wants lawsuit dismissed
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade’s lawyers asked a judge to dismiss a lawsuit filed by his former partners in a failed restaurant and sports memorabilia chain. A federal judge heard arguments from attorneys for Wade and his former partners in the D. Wade’s Place venture. Attempts to settle the $90 million case hit an impasse.
Roy strains hamstring
PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland Trail Blazers guard Brandon Roy has a strained right hamstring and is questionable for tonight’s game against the Orlando Magic. Roy came out of the third quarter of the Blazers’ victory over Milwaukee Wednesday. He had an MRI Thursday morning which confirmed the strain.
DeRozan, Gordon in dunk-in
NEW YORK — DeMar DeRozan of the Toronto Raptors and Eric Gordon of the Los Angeles Clippers will compete in the NBA All-Star Dunk-In competition to determine the fourth spot in the All-Star slam dunk contest. DeRozan and Gordon will get two dunks each during halftime of the rookie challenge on Friday, Feb. 12. The winner, chosen by votes on NBA.com and through text messaging, will claim a spot in the marquee event of All-Star Saturday night, to be held this year in Dallas.
Jazz 97, Cavaliers 96
SALT LAKE CITY — Rookie Sundiata Gaines hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to end a frenzied series of comebacks and give Utah a victory over Cleveland.
Bulls 96, Celtics 83
BOSTON — Luol Deng scored 25 points and Chicago won its third straight game with a victory over Boston.
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