Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton faces a 25-game suspension for violating the NBA’s Anti-Drug Policy. Ayton, 21, was the first overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft.
Suns Deandre Ayton Suspended for 25 Games for Violating NBA’s Anti-Drug Policy
Adrian Wojnarowski Report
Suns center Deandre Ayton is facing a 25-game suspension for violating NBA’s Anti-Drug policy with a positive test for a diuretic, league sources tell ESPN. The NBA informed Ayton and Suns of looming suspension tonight.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 25, 2019
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Ayton is facing a 25-game suspension for violating the league’s anti-drug policy. Players must submit drug tests periodically throughout the season. Ayton’s test came back positive for a banned diuretic. Diuretics are thinning agents, which are used to mask potential drug use in professional athletes.
Wojnarowski also reported that the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) will conduct an “arbitration” process to further look into the situation.
In Ayton’s first season with the Suns, he averaged 16.3 points and 10.3 rebounds, shooting 59 percent from the field. He played well in the Suns’ first game against the Sacramento Kings, scoring 18 points and 11 rebounds.
Deandre Ayton released the following statement, Per Adrian Wojnarowski: “I want to apologize to my family, the entire Suns organization, my teammates, partners, our fans and the Phoenix community. This was an unintentional mistake and unfortunately, I put something in my body that I was completely unaware of. I do understand the unfortunate impact that this has on so many others, and for that, I am deeply sorry. I’m extremely disappointed that I’ve let my team down. I will continue to work with the NBPA to go through arbitration and am hopeful of a positive resolution.”
Suns Lineup Moving Forward
With Ayton out for a good chunk of the season, the Suns now have to figure out a solution to still keep the team intact and ready to go for future games.
Aron Baynes is the top candidate to replace Ayton in the starting lineup. Before being acquired by the Suns, Baynes played for the Boston Celtics, where he played 51 games, averaging 5 points, shooting 40 percent from the field. Of course, now that Ayton will out of the rotation for a while, Baynes will get more playing time, which hopefully increases in his numbers. Center Frank Kaminsky is also a candidate for playing at the five spot. If the Suns can find a solution to fill up the five spot, they make better progress in the season.
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