Controversial guard Ty Lawson may be in the headlines these days due to his second DUI (driving under influence) arrest but it seems that the controversial episode has failed to discourage several teams into considering the 27-year-old guard.
Three teams are reportedly interested in the 18th overall pick of the 2009 NBA Draft. They are the Los Angeles Lakers, the Houston Rockets and the Detroit Pistons.
For the Lakers, adding Lawson seems odd considering they already have a loaded backcourt. Jordan Clarkson has been showing good form in the Las Vegas Summer League and is expected to start at point for the coming season.
Then, there is the fourth overall pick of the Los Angeles Lakers D’ Angelo Russell who many believe is one of the best (if not the best) point guards in the recently concluded NBA Draft.
Lest we forget, the Lakers also signed up Lou Williams as well, so it makes one wonder how head coach Byron Scott will utilize Lawson and the other guards this coming season.
Nick Young is another Laker that is still around and despite the fact that the Lakers are considering a trade for him, no team has so far come forth. Don’t forget as well Kobe Bryant, who is expected to return, offers a pretty crowded backcourt mix for the charges of coach Byron Scott.
Though Lawson is not really in the niche of stellar guards like Chris Paul or Russell Westbrook, he has proven that he can carry a team despite being only 5-foot-11. Could the Lakers be looking into that angle? Plus don’t forget that Lawson is a veteran, the experience of which could certainly help the Lakers’ cause.
Interest coming from the Rockets is a no-brainer. Kevin McHale needs more guards to add to his lineup. The team would have done better in the last NBA Playoffs had a point guard been present to ease things up a bit and it is no secret that the point guard position is a slot that the Rockets intend to address.
As for the Pistons, the interest seems a bit odd. With Reggie Jackson already staying and expected to start at the point, why would Detroit want Lawson? Unless there are already solid plans of dispatching Brandon Jennings, Lawson’s entry could probably make sense. Could a Jackson-Lawson work for the Pistons?
With Lawson, teams will get a guard who can start on any given night. Apparently Lawson knew this when the Nuggets took in Emmanuel Mudiay in the draft.
The fact behind it all is that Lawson carries a hefty contract which the Nuggets want to unload. Lawson is set to receive about $12 million for the coming season and even higher in the next $13 million. With that bill, the Nuggets look to trim down their salary budget and most likely use that on other less expensive players.
So who will win out among the three? Lakers? Rockets? Pistons? Some other team?