Lakers' new recruit is in trouble! A model accuses Ayton: he dumped her in the wilderness for refusing to engage in sexual relations.

On July 29, Beijing time, 27-year-old center Deandre Ayton, who recently signed with the Lakers, has found himself embroiled in controversy. This comes just a few weeks after he began his new chapter in Los Angeles. An Instagram influencer specifically accused Ayton of abandoning her in the Turks and Caicos Islands after she rejected his sexual advances.

The influencer claimed in a now-deleted IG Story: “Ayton's security left me in the wilderness of the Turks and Caicos Islands just because I refused to have sex with him.” This content quickly went viral, being shared by multiple gossip sites and sparking a significant uproar online.

Reportedly, the incident occurred during a luxurious trip to the Turks and Caicos Islands, a destination favored by athletes and influencers. Photos circulated show the model arriving on a private jet, dressed in tight clothing and carrying a Christian Dior bag worth over $3,000.

It has been reported that Ayton invited the model on what is known as a "fly-out invite," a common practice among celebrities where they cover the expenses for others to join them on vacation. According to the model, after she rejected Ayton's advances, his security allegedly left her at an undisclosed location without arranging transportation for her.

This controversy arose just after Ayton finalized a significant career change. On June 30, 2025, Ayton reached a buyout agreement with the Portland Trail Blazers, forfeiting $10 million from his $35.6 million contract; on July 2, he signed a two-year, $16.6 million contract with the Lakers. Despite the pay cut, he remains one of the highest-paid centers in the league, with an estimated total income of $33.7 million for the 2025-26 season.

Just days ago, after completing his free agency matters, he was vacationing in the Turks and Caicos Islands, with the timeline aligning perfectly. This accusation has sparked serious divisions in public opinion online, with thousands weighing in.

About two-thirds of netizens expressed skepticism towards the model or outright blamed her. One user commented, “Did you think he paid for your flight just to play UNO and read the Bible?” Another said, “She didn’t prepare her own way back—that’s her own problem.”

Conversely, about one-third of users expressed anger, condemning such alleged behavior as coercive and dangerous. A popular comment stated, “Regardless of your views on women being ‘flown out’… men cannot feel entitled to (demand sexual relations) just because they paid.” This perspective emphasizes the importance of consent and safety in situations of power imbalance.

This division reflects a broader cultural conflict regarding the ethics of "fly-out invites," awareness of rights, and the relationships between influencers and athletes in the social media age.

As of now, Ayton has not publicly responded to the allegations. His agent and the Lakers have also not issued any statements. Given the NBA's strict player conduct guidelines, this silence may be a strategy. If the allegations escalate legally or gain more attention, Ayton and the Lakers may be compelled to provide an official response.