DeAndre Ayton Faces 25-Game Suspension for NBA Anti-Drug Policy Violation

NBPA is already preparing an arbitration case arguing “unintentional ingestion.”

Oct 25, 2019
deandre ayton suspension
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LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 7: Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns attends the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Atlanta Hawks on July 7, 2019 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images)

deandre ayton suspension
Getty

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 7: Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns attends the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Atlanta Hawks on July 7, 2019 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images)

The NBA informed the Phoenix Suns on Thursday that center DeAndre Ayton has tested positive for a diuretic, which violates the league’s anti-drug policy, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports. Ayton is now facing a 25-game suspension. 

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

Wojnarowski also reports that the NBPA is preparing an arbitration case that will argue Ayton’s violation falls under the CBA provision of “unintentional ingestion,” which could lessen or even revoke his suspension.

The NBPA is already preparing arbitration case to reduce or rescind penalty, based on belief positive test falls under CBA provision of ‘unintentional ingestion', league sources tell ESPN. Ayton was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. https://t.co/UM34cCc3Ol

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 25, 2019

Wojnarowski points to follow-up testing on Ayton that didn’t show traces of any other banned substance. The NBPA reportedly plans to push for a quick resolution to Ayton’s situation with a focus on getting a reduced punishment.

Ayton has released a statement apologizing for what he's calling an "unintentional mistake" where he claims to have "put something in my body that I was completely unaware of."

Deandre Ayton statement: “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..." (Continued)

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 25, 2019

More Ayton: “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.” https://t.co/LShm244MnD

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 25, 2019
NBASuspensionDeandre-AytonPhoenix SunsNewsBasketball

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