Incident at the Airport
Deandre Ayton, the Los Angeles Lakers’ center, experienced a brief encounter with law enforcement at Lynden Pindling International Airport in the Bahamas on Tuesday. Authorities took him into custody on suspicions related to marijuana possession but released him shortly thereafter. Eyewitness accounts suggested that Ayton was seen smoking marijuana at the airport, prompting a search by the Royal Bahamas Police Force, as reported by TMZ.
Clarification from Legal Representation
Despite the search indicating that Ayton was carrying a small quantity of the substance—illegal in the Bahamas—his legal representation, Devard Francis, clarified that the marijuana belonged to another individual. According to Francis, investigators quickly determined that the minor amount did not originate from Ayton’s personal effects, leading to his swift release without any charges being filed against him.
Ayton’s Season Performance
Having recently begun his first season with the Lakers after being signed for a two-year deal worth $16.6 million, Ayton is currently enjoying a productive year. As the All-Star break comes to a close, the former top overall draft pick is averaging 13.2 points while boasting an impressive shooting percentage of 67.5%, along with a team-leading 8.5 rebounds per game. The incident occurred as Ayton was preparing to return to the United States from his home country, the Bahamas, signaling a temporary hiccup in an otherwise promising season.
