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

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

October 25, 2019

deandre ayton suspension — 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)
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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.

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.

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."