UPDATE (3:25 pm PDT on Sunday): The NBA officially announced that Kings point guard Darren Collison has been suspended without pay for the first eight games of the 2016-17 season.
Following the announcement, the Kings issued the following statement:
"Domestic violence is a serious issue and directly contradicts the values of the Sacramento Kings. Darren has taken responsibility for his actions and will work to raise awareness of this critical issue in the community, We support the NBA's decision on this matter."
In their statement, the NBA explained their decision:
"The NBA conducted its own investigation into this matter, including a review of all available materials and interviews of the parties involved. The NBA also consulted with a panel of experts in the field of domestic violence, upon whom the league relies in connection with such matters.
Based on this investigation, consultation, and a careful weighing of all the facts and circumstances, the NBA determined that an eight-game suspension was appropriate. Among other factors, the NBA took into account the conduct and its result, the player’s acceptance of responsibility, his cooperation with both law enforcement and the NBA, and his voluntary participation in counseling in addition to the court-mandated program."
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SACRAMENTO - The biggest question mark coming into Sacramento Kings training camp has been answered. A source with knowledge of the situation has confirmed to CSN California that veteran point guard Darren Collison has been suspended by the NBA for the first eight games of the 2016-17 season after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor domestic violence charge in September.
“It’s been an unfortunate summer, difficult offseason, you know what I mean, but as a man, you’ve got to take responsibility,” Collison told reporters during media day on Monday. “Right now, what’s best for my family is to kind of move forward and focus on basketball. This has kind of been my safe haven thus far.”
Collison was arrested over Memorial Day weekend and originally charged with two misdemeanor counts after a late night altercation with his wife.
After countless delays, the 29-year-old point guard accepted a plea deal with the Placer County district attorneys office on September 2, pleading guilty to one count of misdemeanor domestic violence. The conviction came with a 20-day jail sentence, which he will serve in an Alternative Sentencing Program, where he will work on community service projects overseen by Placer County.
In addition to community service, Collison was also sentenced to three years of informal probation and he is required to attend a 52-week “Batterer Treatment” class, which is mandatory by the state of California in all domestic violence convictions.
Collison is in his third season with the Kings after signing a 3-year, $15 million deal in 2014. He averaged 14 points and 4.3 assists per game as both a starter and reserve for Sacramento and before running into legal trouble he was expected to begin the season as the starter.
The Kings have since added veterans Ty Lawson and Jordan Farmar to support the position with the expectation that Collison would miss time due to suspension.
Collison is allowed to play during the preseason but he will miss the first two weeks of the regular season due to the suspension. He is eligible to return to action on Nov. 8 when the Kings take on the New Orleans Pelicans at the Golden 1 Center.
ESPN’s Marc Stein was first with the information. According to Stein, the suspension will cost Collison an estimated $380,324 in lost game checks.
