The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly among a few teams who are interested in Denver Nuggets guard Ty Lawson, and they may actually be willing to trade for him.
Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated reports that Lawson is generating interest on the trade market from the Lakers, Houston Rockets and Detroit Pistons. The Nuggets are expected to do everything they can to trade Lawson before training camp and could consider waiving him.
Earlier this week, Lawson was arrested for driving while under the influence in L.A. It was his second arrest for suspicion of DUI in roughly six months.
Mannix notes that teams are “intrigued by (Lawson’s) talent” despite his troubles off the court. The 27-year-old averaged 15.2 points per game last season and his 9.6 assists per game ranked third in the NBA. Lawson has two years and $25 million remaining on his current contract, which is a bargain compared to the deals other point guards like Reggie Jackson (five years, $80 million) and Wesley Matthews (four years, $70 million) have signed.
The problem is Lawson won’t be worth a penny if he can’t focus on basketball and stop being a distraction. In addition to his legal issues, Lawson irritated Denver’s brass by acting immature at various points throughout the 2014-2015 season.
Lawson raised some eyebrows during the NBA Draft when he said he was going to Sacramento, which Mannix says is still a possibility. Kings coach George Karl would apparently welcome a reunion with Lawson despite the recent signing of Rajon Rondo.
