Andy Miller, Telfair's agent, last night said, "There has been no indication from Danny or from any other representative of the Celtics that my client, Sebastian Telfair, has been waived or released."
Telfair, 21, was arrested early Friday after police found a loaded .45 caliber Colt semiautomatic handgun in his car when he was stopped for speeding with a suspended Florida driver's license on the Bronx River Parkway. The incident occurred shortly before 4 a.m. in Yonkers, N.Y., when police clocked Telfair driving northbound in his 2006 Land Rover at 77 miles per hour in a 45 mile-per-hour zone. Telfair posted $7,500 bail Friday afternoon and is scheduled to return to Yonkers City court May 17.
Even before the season ended, team and league sources indicated that the Celtics were looking to trade Telfair. If the Celtics cut Telfair, they will owe him the $2.56 million he is slated to make next season. If the Celtics try to nullify his contract, it will likely cost more in legal fees and aggravation than it is worth. A trade seems to be the best option, though it undoubtedly has become more difficult.
Barring plea negotiations, Telfair will face a felony charge for second-degree possession of a weapon and a misdemeanor charge for second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.
Second-degree possession of a weapon is considered a Class C violent felony. For someone such as Telfair with no prior felony convictions, the minimum sentence is 3 1/2 years and the maximum is 15 years. Second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle is an unclassified misdemeanor that carries a mandatory fine of at least $500 and either three years' probation or a maximum of six months in jail.
