By Paul M. Banks
There are no such things as “mutual” breakups at the exact time that they occur. One party always wants to stay. However, eventually every breakup is mutual, as both parties figure out in time that life is better apart from one another. Well, every breakup that doesn’t incite a suicide or homicide anyway. Gilbert Arenas and the Washington Wizards are (to quote 80s hairband Winger) “headed for a heartbreak.” They have to part ways, but how?
Arenas pleaded guilty today, as part of a plea bargain on his felony gun possession charge. The U.S. Attorney recommended to the District of Columbia Superior Court a sentence less than six months and may end up with zero time in prison for “Agent Zero.”
Gilbert acknowledges his colossal mistake: having four guns (though no adjustable sights) in his locker, and the even more career-crushing move of pulling one on his teammate, Javaris Crittendon. His excuse is that he wanted his guns out of the reach of his children.
Soon he’ll find himself less able to provide for those children.
Even if Arenas avoids the pokey, the legal process and negative PR will cloud his future in the NBA and end his relationship with the Wizards. Possession of a gun at an NBA arena is a violation of the league’s collective bargaining agreement, and David Stern has already suspended Arenas indefinitely without pay until the investigation concludes. The Wizards stand by Stern who was livid that Arenas took such a nonchalant and joking attitude about the incident with media, players (best illustrated by the finger as guns gesture during pregame introductions) and on his Twitter account. (which has since been deleted)
Arenas tweeted: “I’m a goof ball and that’s what I am, so even doing something like this, I’m going to make fun of it and that’s how I am.”
The Wizard, and the league in general have already removed pics of Arenas from all promotional materials and products Wizards/NBA related. Arenas knows the Wiz doesn’t want him any more, and supposedly told Washington general manager Ernie Grunfeld that while they were still on speaking terms.
Without prison time, this story has already done tremendous damage to the reputation of the league and the franchise. There’s already been irreparable harm inflicted in the court of public opinion and on the ability of “Hibachi” to brand himself.
But what about Arenas and the Wizards, and the $80 million left on his $111 million contract? Washington will try and terminate it, for reasons other than clearing cap space for the 2010 free agent bonanza. Unless Arenas goes to jail, the Wizards will not have a case to rip up the contract. If he does do time, then they may have a case. Either way, it’s going to get really ugly in D.C. soon: especially when Arenas returns from his suspension. So get ready, this is far from over!