Lakers Should Avoid Trading For Ty Lawson Right Now
By Pablo Jacobo
After a surfeit of moves the Los Angeles Lakers made in the offseason, they may not be done dealing. Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix reported that the Lakers are among the teams interested in dealing for Denver Nuggets point guard Ty Lawson.
Sources: Despite second arrest, Ty Lawson generating interest http://t.co/O27ZG1TKAr
— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) July 17, 2015
Denver has been relentlessly trying to move the 27-year-old point guard since last season. He has had an apparent falling out with the Nuggets organization. Rumors had Denver willing to ship Kenneth Faried and Lawson out during the draft but nothing became of it.
Lawson is a terrific guard in the NBA. He averaged 15 points and 9.6 assists per game in the 2014-15 season. He was third in the league in assists and the second straight year he’s been in the top-3 in that category.
He has two years and $25M left in his deal, which will not cripple the Lakers finances. The money that has been thrown out to the likes of Reggie Jackson and Enes Kanter this season has John Wall and the rest of us puzzled. Lawson’s deal is a bargain compared to those bloated contracts.
You may think for the reasons I just outlined that I want Lawson in purple and gold. That is not the case. The Lakers should stay away from the former Tar Heel. He was recently arrested for a DUI in Los Angeles, his second violation this year. That should automatically be a red flag. He’s due in Denver for a court hearing.
If found guilty, he could see jail time and after he serves his sentence, I’m sure NBA Commissioner Adam Silver will come down hard on Lawson for his reckless behavior. That kind of attitude will not be acceptable under Byron Scott’s watch. Just look at Nick Young, how he has fared with the coach. He could possibly be on the way out if he doesn’t shape up.
Jul 13, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard D
Additionally, the Lakers are stacked at guard and don’t need another one. On the current roster LA has Jordan Clarkson, D’Angelo Russell, Jabari Brown and Lou Williams. Kobe Bryant, Nick Young and Anthony Brown are the projected small forwards but can shift to the guard spot if needed.
According to the trade machine, this is what it would take to acquire Lawson from the Nuggets. Not the most enticing package. But if that’s what it took, then pull the trigger. That would highlight the desperation of the Nuggets’ front office to rid themselves of Lawson.
The Lakers could potentially swap Roy Hibbert for Lawson straight up but I highly doubt LA would do it unless they were truly sold on Robert Upshaw, Tarik Black and Robert Sacre. Hibbert is viewed as a one-year rental but if the change of scenery helps him find his game again, then the same can be said for Lawson.
Lawson on the Lakers will take precious playing time away from their young trio of guards. Clarkson, Russell and Brown will need the bulk of the minutes to continue growing. The Lakers have experimented with a three-guard set at Summer League which has produced more points. The NBA is evolving to a more guard driven league and the Lakers posses some pretty good backcourt options. Adding a ball-dominant guard like Lawson will impede their growth.
More from LA Sports Hub
- Lakers: 5 Players to Target Through Trades to make another championship run
- LA Chargers: Week 8 against Denver Broncos is a must-win
- LA Rams: Jared Goff wants to keep the Los Angeles title streak going
- Lakers Rumors: Los Angeles Clippers interested in Rajon Rondo
- LA Chargers: Justin Herbert wins AFC Rookie of the Month
It’s too early for fans to give up on the second overall pick. He’s shown at SL some brilliant passes and his elusiveness to create his own shot. The ability to set up his teammates is something worth waiting for with Russell. He’s only played four games in his NBA career and I don’t think the Lakers will want to mess with that.
In terms of leadership, Lawson hasn’t been the best given recent events. His negative influence on these young players could be demonstrative for their growth. He was the ringleader of an exodus that led to Brian Shaw losing his coaching job. That’s not a quality you want from your point guard. Lawson is not a bad player or person but at the moment he has some issues that will not mesh well with the young Lakers.
Reports have surfaced that Lawson will check himself into a 30-day rehab facility which is a good sign. He’s too talented to throw away his career. If Lawson was in a better condition mentally and physically then my mind would change in a heartbeat. Right now it’s not that time.