DeAndre Ayton, center for the Phoenix Suns and 2018 first overall draft pick, has been given a 25-game suspension for use of a diuretic that violates the NBA’s drug policy. Reports indicate that the National Basketball Players Association will file an appeal based on their belief that the detected substance was not knowingly taken by Ayton.
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
Ayton has also released a statement upon the news of his suspnsion:
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
DeAndre Ayton averaged 16.3 points and 10.3 rebounds per game in his rookie campaign, being a finalist for last year’s rookie of the year award before it was ultimately won by Luka Doncic.
The loss of Ayton for any length of time will be a major loss for the Suns as they work to establish an identity and put together a better season than the 19-63 record they posted over the course of last season, placing them as the worst team in the Western Conference in 2018-19.
