Clippers wing Amir Coffey was arrested in Hollywood, California, at approximately 2:30 a.m. Sunday morning for misdemeanor possession of a firearm, according to TMZ (hat tip to Kurt Helin of NBC Sports).
Coffey was a passenger in a vehicle that was pulled over for speeding. When police approached the vehicle, they reportedly smelled marijuana and subsequently searched the car. They found a loaded gun, which Coffey conceded was his.
According to TMZ, the 26-year-old was subsequently arrested for the misdemeanor charge, booked into jail, and released four hours later on his own recognizance. Coffey’s court date is scheduled for August.
The Clippers have yet to comment on the matter, Helin notes.
Coffey, who reportedly would have been sent to the Wizards in June in a three-team trade that fell apart at the last minute, has been with the Clippers since he went undrafted in 2019 out of Minnesota.
He had a breakout third season in 2021/22, averaging 9.0 PPG, 2.9 RPG and 1.8 APG on .453/.378/.863 shooting in 69 games (30 starts, 22.7 MPG), which led to him being promoted from a two-way deal to a standard contract in March 2022. He signed a three-year, $11MM contract with L.A. last summer — he’ll earn $7.6MM over the next two seasons.
Last season, Coffey struggled to produce at the same level in a limited role. He averaged just 3.4 PPG, 1.1 RPG and 1.1 APG on .386/.275/.778 shooting across 50 contests (nine starts, 12.5 MPG).
Kiss all that money goodbye
Interesting that now the NBA is concerned about gun possession. Did he shoot it? point it at someone? Commit a crime? Is he the legal owner? But let’s get him out of the League?
As much as I think this case has more to do with police racism than anything else – he was smoking weed, which we all know impairs the human mind in some way, so we probably shouldn’t let dudes smoking weed have guns around in their cars, right? Pick one.
Racism? Based on what?
Feelings. Definition based on feelings. Feelings always lead to the truth
It doesnt say he was smoking or that they found bud. It says police claimed they smelled marijuana to simulate “probable cause” to search. They probably saw they pulled over black people, pretended they smelled something, and forced the search, where they found the gun. Could be wrong, but the fact nothing is mentioned about finding bud is reason to believe that is what happened, as is definitely 1000% what cops do all the time
Edit: my bad. Just realized it does say the other person was cited for weed, but it is still a thing that happens all the time
As much as I may agree with you. That’s anecdotal. The crux of the matter was it was a good stop (speeding) they had probable (smell of marijuana) and he was in illegal possession of a firearm.
Maybe if they didn’t have the marijuana and the illegal firearm all they get is a ticket.
Source just trust me bro
Looks like the racist police were right in their assumption, again.
That being said, you could argue why it’s so necessary to pursue a situation like that. In that same area, I bet there are a bunch of dispensaries. And if all it gets is a citation, as well, then even more reason to question why make a whole thing out of “smelling bud” for probable cause to search besides wanting the big ego moment of doing so
I’m not necessarily saying anything about this, as though I know the people involved, or was there. Just talking in generalities. Also, not suggesting that doing illegal things shouldnt have consequences, in case someone tries to claim that, but just saying I dont think it’s fair to make claims about the guy for being arrested in a situation like this
You do realize that smelling marijuana is probable cause because it’s already illegal to smoke it in the car right?
You obviously didnt understand what I meant when I said cops fake probable cause all the time…when there is no marijuana, so how could they have smelled it…but again, it was present in this case, in which case I then edited the comment to reflect that
So you claim. But the truth is they had marijuana and an illegal firearm. You can SAY the cops fake it all the time. But again the truth is they were breaking the law.
Minority or not. Profiling or not. They were breaking the law and the cops busted them. That’s the part you should keep your eyes on
and I said that…
He got busted because he is an idiot. I smoke weed. I have a ton of guns. I don’t get stoned and go cruise the town with a loaded weapon, because I’m not an idiot.
I think the idea is to keep people from getting high and driving on the road like with alcohol.
I am on Amir’s side and that’s a reach
Careful, the NBA is coming for you too – they’re going to force you to learn how to read. Watch out!
Having the gun was the crime.
Also if Ja wasn’t dumb enough to record himself at a strip club with a firearm this likely flies under the radar.
But if someone does something that puts a spotlight on a problem like Ja did… of course the NBA has to crack down on it. If they didn’t the NBA could have swept in under the rug.
Nothing in the article says that the NBA is looking into this, although they doubtlessly are.
The police arrested him, not the NBA.
I mean it’s his right
This isn’t the NBA, at this point. Silver & Co. don’t have police power, yet anyway.
Good law, bad law, misapplied law. A professional sports league has the right to require that it’s players not violate the law. Although they’ve yet to weigh in on this.
D-League here he comes
Another model citizen.
Who was he in the car with if he was the one admitting to the gun being his?
Whoever the other person was should have took the charge unless they were already a felon or was PG13 or somebody. For every game he’s suspended he will lose a yearly salary for school teacher his age.
His punishment should be explaining to everyone why he needs a loaded gun driving around Hollywood? Hooked up to a lie detector. Interested to hear his logic lol
You try driving around Hollywood at 2:30 without a piece. As someone who lives in LA it’s nice to know it’s only a misdemeanor
Sounds like a cool place I’m glad for you
amir has to be smokin bubba kush, right?
When keeping it real goes wrong.
His friend should have lied for a couple grand if i was his friend i would have. Definitely hurts him a lot more plus Amir could have still paid for his friend and and fines. Too high to think, not that i think the NBA will clamp too hard on this.
Oh no, they SMELLED MARIJUANA!
He can smoke all the weed he wants. At home. There are laws in the books. EVERYONE needs to abide by them.
Release him asap