The Knicks traded Raymond Felton to Dallas as part of the Tyson Chandler deal this summer, but there was something hanging over Felton’s head during that deal — felony gun charges.
He had been arrested in New York after he allegedly pointed a gun at his estranged wife. He eventually pled guilty to attempted criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of a firearm, as well as knowingly having a large-capacity ammunition magazine and a pistol that was unlicensed. Felton was sentenced to 500 hours of community service and ordered to pay a $5,000 fine.
On top of that, the NBA has now suspended Felton the first four games of next season without pay, the league announced Thursday.
“I demonstrated poor judgment and I take full responsibility for my actions,” Felton said in a statement released by the Mavericks.
Mavericks owner Mark Cuban noted in his statement that Felton is allowed to serve is community service hours outside New York and can do them around Dallas.
Snarky Dallas fans took to twitter saying the suspension was a blessing for the Mavericks — Felton struggled mightily last season in New York (which now has Jose Calderon running the point, a much better triangle offense fit). Once the suspension ends Felton (rarely the best conditioned athlete in the league, to be kind) will get the chance to turn his career around under one of the best Xs and Os coaches in the game in Rick Carlisle, someone who will put Felton in good positions to succeed. Whether he does anything with that chance remains to be seen. Color me skeptical.
Article credit ProBasketballTalk
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