Thunder F McGary gets another drug suspension

Previously suspended for five games to start the 2016-17 season, McGary, the former MI star and current member of the Oklahoma City Thunder, will now miss 15 games for non-compliance with the league’s drug policy.

McGary was originally suspended for the first five games of the season due to a violation of the league’s drug policy in July.

McGary issued a statement following his first suspension in July, saying “I clearly made a mistake, and for that, I apologize to the organization, my teammates, and our fans”.

The details of both violations have not been released as per National Basketball Association rules. Wojnarowski reports the franchise is looking to trade or release the 21st overall pick of the 2014 draft.

He managed just 52 National Basketball Association appearances for the Thunder in his first two seasons. Throw in McGary’s 15-game ban and the greater character concerns that come with it, and it’s probably safe to close the book on his tenure in Oklahoma City.

According to the Vertical, this most recent suspension is not another failed drug test, but “failure to live up to procedural guidelines set forth in the program”. For now, McGary’s career is in peril because of his inability to maintain a lifestyle that’ll allow him to play in the National Basketball Association. He was away from the Thunder for the final few weeks of last season, as well, for what the team described as “personal reasons”. He tested positive for marijuana, resulting in a one-year suspension from competition from the NCAA.

McGary declared for the National Basketball Association draft after testing positive for marijuana while at MI following his sophomore season. As a rookie with injury issues, McGary averaged 6.3 points and 5.2 rebounds in 32 games.

Prior to his suspension this summer, McGary seemed to be trending in the right direction.