Deandre Ayton briefly detained for possession of marijuana
Los Angeles Lakers center and former top draft pick DeAndre Ayton was arrested on Tuesday for possession of marijuana. According to reports, Ayton tried to go through an airport in the Bahamas while wearing drug.
“February 17 (Reuters) – Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton was briefly detained at Linden Pindling International Airport in the Bahamas on Tuesday on suspicion of possessing a small amount of marijuana, his lawyer and two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters,” Jasper Williams-Ward at X Reuters reported.
Ayton is in his first season with the Lakers, the third stop in his eight-year NBA career. He signed a two-year contract in LA after a two-year stint with the Portland Trail Blazers. His run with the Phoenix Suns didn’t end on the brightest note, but he found a role with the Lakers.
What that means for Ayton’s availability is unknown. The Lakers begin the final stretch of the season on Friday night against the Los Angeles Clippers. Ayton has started 46 of LA’s 54 games this season as their center, so not having him for such an important game would be a loss.
Ayton was a college basketball superstar, leading the Arizona Wildcats to a 27-8 record as an All-American in 2018. That made him the number one overall pick by the Suns that summer. There, he was instrumental in their appearance in the 2021 Finals, where they lost to the Milwaukee Bucks. But from Phoenix to Portland, it wasn’t the career many envisioned for the center. His tenure with the Lakers has been going well, but this arrest could become a problem.
2026-02-18 03:36:00
