Clippers' Matt Barnes pleads to misdemeanor after arrest

Clippers forward Matt Barnes pleaded no contest Tuesday to misdemeanor resisting and being an unlicensed driver after prosecutors opted not to charge the NBA player with the felony claimed in the arrest by Manhattan Beach police.

Barnes allegedly refused to cooperate and threatened an officer before he was arrested on suspicion of threatening a public official, a felony. But the Los Angeles County district attorney's office Tuesday opted to file a misdemeanor charge and would not elaborate on why it agreed to a deal on the lesser charge.

He was sentenced by Superior Court Judge Burt Pines in Torrance to two years' summary probation, ordered to complete 30 hours of community service and three months of counseling.

Manhattan Beach police said one of their officers made contact with NBA player in the 100 block of Manhattan Beach Boulevard to arrest him in connection with an outstanding warrant for a misdemeanor violation of driving on a suspended license.

A nine-year veteran who has played with eight teams, Barnes had just finished playing for the Lakers and was a free agent at the time of his arrest.

Barnes, who last regular season averaged 7.8 points and 5.5 rebounds for the Lakers, signed with the Clippers in September for what is believed to be a one-year deal making the veteran's minimum.

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Photo: Former Laker Matt Barnes during warmups prior to a game at Staples Center in January. Credit: Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times