NBA hands Telfair a three-game suspension

David Brewster, Star Tribune file

A three-game suspension for the Wolves' Sebastian Telfair will cost the backup point guard more than $84,000 and create problems for coach Randy Wittman.

The NBA waited 18 months for the Wolves backup point guard's case involving criminal possession of a weapon before deciding on the penalty.

By JERRY ZGODA, Star Tribune

Last update: October 15, 2008 - 12:55 AM

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CHICAGO - The NBA on Tuesday suspended Timberwolves backup point guard Sebastian Telfair for three regular-season games after he pleaded guilty last month to criminal possession of a weapon.

His April 2007 arrest for speeding, driving without a license and handgun possession came three months before the Wolves acquired him from Boston in the Kevin Garnett trade. The NBA did not act until the legal case was resolved 18 months later, after Telfair received three years' probation.

If Telfair remains healthy and eligible, he will miss the regular season's first three games against Sacramento, Dallas and at Oklahoma City.

Telfair was suspended for two games in 2006 for violating the league's firearms policy when he played for the Portland Trail Blazers. He has had no off-court incidents since arriving in Minnesota.

Kevin McHale, Wolves vice president of basketball operations, called Telfair a "great teammate" and said he is proud of Telfair's "continued improvement as a basketball player and a young man."

Coach Randy Wittman called Telfair "nothing but a model citizen" since he joined the team.

"This was something in his past and now we have to deal with it," Wittman said. "It happened so long ago, I lost track of it, to be honest with you."

The suspension is expected to cost Telfair more than $84,000. He signed a new three-year contract last summer that will pay him $2.3 million this season.

"I don't have any comment," Telfair said before Tuesday's preseason game at Chicago.

Telfair's absence for three games means two things: Wittman will wish for starting point guard Randy Foye's continued good health, and the coach will have to consider perhaps a bit more carefully the team's third point-guard position.

NBA Development League player Blake Ahearn and 11-year veteran Kevin Ollie are competing for the job, which also could be filled with a roster addition as the Oct. 29 season opener against Sacramento approaches.

"It's unfortunate he's going to miss the first three games," Wittman said. "We can put it to rest and he can finally put that behind him, a chapter in his book."