Lakers’ Deandre Ayton briefly detained for marijuana possession

OG article by Christopher Hennessy

February 18, 2026

Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton was briefly detained on Tuesday at Lynden Pindling International Airport in the Bahamas on suspicion of possessing a small amount of marijuana. The incident occurred while Ayton attempted to travel through the airport carrying the substance. His lawyer confirmed the detention, along with two sources familiar with the matter, as first reported by Reuters via journalist Jasper Williams-Ward. Authorities released him after the brief hold, with no formal charges detailed in initial reports.

Ayton, in his first season with the Lakers after signing a two-year deal following time with the Portland Trail Blazers, has been a key starter, appearing in 46 of the team's 54 games so far. The Lakers' plans for his availability remain unclear, particularly ahead of their upcoming matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday. The event drew quick media attention given Ayton's high-profile status as a former top draft pick and current contributor to the team's lineup alongside stars like Luka Dončić and LeBron James. Marijuana possession laws vary significantly by jurisdiction, and the Bahamas maintains strict regulations on the substance despite evolving U.S. state-level trends toward legalization. No further legal updates or team statements were immediately available.