Gilbert Arenas Avoids Jail Time For Bringing Guns Into Locker Room

Arenas will instead get two years’ probation and be assigned to spend 30 days in a halfway house. He will also be asked to serve 400 hours of community service and donate $5,000 to the Victim of Violent Crimes Fund, according to Mike Jones and Craig Stouffer.

Arenas reportedly expressed his remorse to Superior Court Judge Robert Morin during the sentencing.

“I’d like to say, I’m really sorry this happened, and I wake up every day wishing it didn’t,” Arenas said to Morin. By way of explaining his infamous guns-a-blazin’ gesture in Philadelphia, Arenas said, “I like to make people to laugh. I like to make people smile.”

It remains unclear whether the sentencing decision affects whether the Wizards will look to void the remaining four years and over $80 million left on Arenas’ contract. Noted collective bargaining agreement expert Larry Coon said earlier this week that he does not believe today’s decision mattered either way, since Arenas had already pled guilty to a felony. However, Yahoo! Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski believes otherwise.

Only real chance Wizards had to void Arenas’ contract would’ve been significant prison time. Thirty days in a halfway house won’t do it.

The incident stemmed from a gambling dispute between Arenas and Wizards guard Javaris Crittenton. When Crittenton came to practice the day after the incident, Arenas had four unloaded guns laid out on the table, and asked Crittenton to pick one. Crittenton responded by pulling out his own gun.

Arenas’ defense attorney told Jones that Arenas and Crittenton have been in contact since the incident occurred.

Arenas’ attorney said Gil and Crit have been in contact often since both pled and Gil gave crit $30K for Crit’s mom’s neck surgery.

For much more fan reaction and discussion, check out SB Nation’s Wizards blog Bullets Forever.