While the problems of consistency have marred Deandre Ayton’s performance, a recent run-in with the law only attracted negative headlines. The Lakers center was returning after the All-Star break, only to be questioned about the possession of an illegal substance. But that brief scare was quickly resolved.

Deandre Ayton was briefly detained on Tuesday at Lynden Pindling International Airport in the Bahamas, as per Reuters Jasper Williams-Ward. The detention was on suspicion of allegedly having a small amount of marijuana. However, his lawyer quickly shared what had actually happened.

“The investigators saw that the actual very small amount of marijuana wasn’t in Deandre’s bag, but they still went through their investigations, and he was released expeditiously,” Ayton’s lawyer, Devard Francis, told Reuters that the drug was in someone else’s bag. So far, there has been no statement from the Royal Bahamas Police Force or the Lakers. It could have been a bigger issue since the drug remains illegal in the Bahamas. This is not the only time in the past few days when the former #1 pick has been part of the headlines for the wrong reasons.

It’s been an up-and-down season for Deandre Ayton this season with an average of 13.2 points and 8.5 rebounds in 28.2 minutes per game. His motor is in question on the nights when he fails to get going. That reputation took a hit further when Bleacher Report put the Lakers’ star sixth on their list of the most overrated players in the league today.

“Former Suns head coach Monty Williams famously benched him in a Game 7 against the Dallas Mavericks in the 2022 playoffs. Now JJ Redick is seeing a familiar lack of effort at times. Despite his 7’0″ frame and 7’6″ wingspan, Ayton has never been a defensive anchor even with his physical advantages. Averaging just 1.0 block in over 30.6 minutes for his career, opponents are making a healthy 59.3 percent of their shots at the rim this season with him as the primary defender. For comparison, that’s nearly identical to Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who’s six inches shorter.”

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In the summer, the idea was clear that for Luka Doncic’s lob threat, Deandre Ayton fits the bill. But his lack of effort on plays is concerning, as his rebounding is down significantly from past years. Adding to the problem is that his turnovers are also up, but his impact on defense is the worst it has been in his entire career.

While he struggled to be a rim protector, this year the Lakers are 4.1 points per 100 possessions worse on defense when Ayton plays in non-garbage time.

Deandre Ayton’s future gets a bleak update

The lack of defensive duties on some days is overcome by his proficient shooting on the night. Just three weeks ago, Deandre Ayton created Lakers history. The 27-year-old became only the fourth player in Lakers history to record 20 points and 10 rebounds while shooting a perfect 100% from the field. Be it this record or shooting 85.5% against the Wizards, there are flashes of his brilliance. But this has been marred with inconsistency throughout the entire season.

The Lakers signed Deandre Ayton to a 2-year, $16 million contract in July 2025. He was to fill the team’s long-standing void at center. However, his lack of command in the paint is not sitting well with LA’s strategies. NBA insider Jake Fischer, during a livestream for Bleacher Report, added that the Lakers don’t consider Ayton as a “long-term answer at center or as the pick-and-roll rim-lob threat that Luka Doncic will grow old with in Hollywood.”

Currently, he is dealing with knee soreness, which kept him out of the final game before the All-Star break. So by mid-season, Ayton’s tenure has more doubters, and he would hope to turn it around.