Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton was briefly detained Tuesday at Lynden Pindling International Airport in the Bahamas on suspicion of being in possession of a small amount of marijuana, according to a report from Reuters.
Reporter Jasper Ward wrote that two sources familiar with the matter said Ayton, a native of the Bahamas, had been arrested and detained after being found with marijuana.
However, Ayton’s lawyer, Devard Francis, disputed that characterization.
“The investigators saw that the actual very small amount of marijuana wasn’t in Deandre’s bag, but they still went through their investigations and he was released expeditiously,” Francis told Reuters.
The Royal Bahamas Police Force and the Lakers did not immediately respond to requests for comment, according to the Reuters report. Although the Bahamas has taken steps to legalize marijuana for medical and religious purposes, the drug remains illegal in the country.
The development comes as Los Angeles holds a 33-21 record, good for fifth place in the Western Conference.
Ayton has started all 46 games he has played this season and is averaging 13.2 points and 8.5 rebounds in 28.2 minutes per contest. He is shooting 67.5 percent from the field, a mark that reflects his role as a finisher around the rim rather than a perimeter option.
The 27-year-old anchors the interior alongside Luka Doncic, who leads the team with 32.8 points and 8.6 assists per game, and LeBron James, who is averaging 22.0 points and 7.1 assists at age 41. Ayton’s screening, rebounding and rim presence have supported a rotation that includes Austin Reaves at 25.4 points per game.
There has been no indication from the league or the franchise regarding potential discipline as of Wednesday. The situation remains limited to the brief detention described in the Reuters report.
