It’s been an interesting offseason for the Sacramento Kings. They added three young players – DeAaron Fox, Justin Jackson and Harry Giles – in the draft, then went out during free agency and signed three veterans for leadership purposes – Vince Carter, Zach Randolph and George Hill.
The Kings look to surround their young talent with known veterans in order to teach the young guys how to be professionals on and off the court. George Hill, coming off a playoff run in Utah, looks to mentor the former Kentucky Wildcat Fox. Zach Randolph will look to guide the young forwards like Skal Labissiere and Harry Giles. Vince Carter probably will just show how unfair it is to be 40 years old and still that athletically gifted.
Unfortunately, part of the plans for the Sacramento Kings went up in smoke when Zach Randolph was arrested last month for possession of marijuana with the intent to sell. Randolph was arrested with two others when Los Angeles Police were called to a residential neighborhood because cars were blocking the street, loud music was playing and the scent of marijuana was in the air. The charges were later reduced to resisting arrest and a smaller marijuana possession charge.
However, according to TMZ Sports, Randolph has reached a plea deal:
…Randolph struck a deal with prosecutors to plead no contest to misdemeanor resisting arrest … and in exchange, the pot charge was tossed completely.
Randolph was sentenced to 150 hours of community service as part of a diversion program, which means if he completes the hours and keeps his nose clean for 12 months, the resisting arrest conviction will be wiped from his record.
One more thing … Randolph was specifically told he may not associate himself with or be around drug dealers as part of the terms of the deal.
But Randolph and his agent are pushing back.
“As we have said from the beginning, reports regarding Zach Randolph are misleading,” Randolph’s agent Raymond Brothers told TNTs David Aldridge. “After being accused of marijuana possession, all charges have been dropped. He was never arrested with any marijuana in or on his possession. He has been cited for delaying a police officer. It’s defamatory for someone to say anything to the contrary.”
It is unknown whether this legal trouble will cost Randolph any games in this upcoming season. He’s has largely stayed out of legal trouble after rehabilitating his once-rocky image during his years in Memphis. Randolph isn’t the only NBA forward whose been in trouble for marijuana possession recently as new Atlanta Hawk, Miles Plumlee, was arrested last month as well.
