Washington Wizards reserve guard Javaris Crittenton pleaded guilty to a single gun charge, stemming from a disagreement with teammate Gilbert Arenas in December.

Crittenton, 22, was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and attempting to carry a pistol without a license but reached a plea deal for the gun possession charge.

The misdemeanor carries a maximum of 1 year in jail, but Crittenton is likely to receive probation in the plea agreement.

Earlier this month, police searched the home of Crittenton, who has an injured left foot and hasn't played this year.

Short of losing a life, it's hard to imagine a worse season for a sports franchise than that suffered by the Wizards, a team that changed its name from the Bullets just a few years ago. Crittenton's plea brings an end to the legal aspects of the controversy.

The players involved still likely face stiff league penalties from NBA Commissioner David Stern, though.

The gun charges stem from a Dec. 21 locker room beef with Arenas, who has already pleaded to gun charges and faces jail time when sentenced next month.

The argument started over an earlier card game, prosecutors said. Crittenton allegedly told Arenas he would shoot him in the knee if Arenas didn't pay his card debt. Days later, Arenas placed guns on a chair next to Crittenton's locker, with a note that said, "Pick 1," according to authorities.

Crittenton told Arenas he didn't need Arenas' gun because he had his own and then displayed a semi-automatic handgun - all of this occurring in the Verizon Center locker room, according to prosecutors.

In a statement released by his attorney yesterday, Crittenton said he carried the gun, because he feared for his safety.