Per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the NBA informed the Phoenix Suns and Deandre Ayton that the second-year center is facing a 25-game suspension for violating the NBA's Anti-Drug Policy. He tested positive for a diuretic and that is in violation of the league's policy.
The NBPA is responding quickly to the matter and is already planning an arbitration case that would aim to ‘reduce or rescind penalty' to lower the length of the looming suspension. Their belief is that the positive test falls under the ‘unintentional ingestion' provision in the CBA.
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
It is important to note that Ayton did not show traces of any other banned substances and that's why the NBPA is expected to ‘fast-track arbitration process' to attempt to achieve a ‘reduction' in punishment.
Follow-up testing on Phoenix's Deandre Ayton showed no traces of any other banned substances, sources with knowledge of results tell ESPN. NBPA is likely to fast-track arbitration process to push for a reduction as soon as possible, per sources.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 25, 2019
The Suns began their regular season on Wednesday with a 124-95 win over the Sacramento Kings at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Ayton played an important role in the victory by contributing 18 points, 11 rebounds, and four blocks.
There are a few options that the Suns have in the event that Ayton was to be suspended. They could decide to start either Frank Kaminsky or Aron Baynes. The option that most closely resembles the skill-set that Ayton brings to the table is Baynes, but it remains to be seen which option head coach Monty Williams will choose.
It was very unlikely that the Suns would be able to earn a spot in the Western Conference playoffs before Deandre Ayton's suspension. However, losing one of their top players further lowers their chances of putting together a surprise run.
The suspension will begin during the Suns' road matchup with the Denver Nuggets on Friday.
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