By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Deandre Ayton was briefly detained by authorities upon arriving at Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau, Bahamas, on Tuesday. The 27-year-old Nassau native was held under suspicion of marijuana possession during a routine customs inspection. However, his legal counsel, Devard Francis, confirmed to Reuters that the investigation concluded rapidly after it was determined that the small amount of the substance found was actually located in someone else’s bag, other than Ayton’s personal luggage.
“The investigators saw that the actual very small amount of marijuana wasn’t in Deandre’s bag,” Francis explained, noting that the NBA star was released expeditiously without any charges filed. Ayton is expected to rejoin the Los Angeles Lakers following the brief off-court distraction as the team prepares for the final stretch of the 2025-26 NBA Regular Season following the All-Star break.
Through 46 appearances this season, Ayton has been a vital interior presence for head coach JJ Redick. He is currently averaging 13.2 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks per contest while shooting a career-high 67.5% from the field.
The 2018 first-overall pick joined the Lakers last July as an unrestricted free agent after a buyout from the Portland Trail Blazers. His current two-year, $16.6 million contract includes an $8.5 million player option for the 2026-27 season. Having previously spent five seasons with the Phoenix Suns and two with Portland, the veteran big man is now focused on helping the Lakers clinch a playoff berth with a high seed in the Western Conference standings.