NBA Trade Rumors: Five potential destinations for Ty Lawson

Nov 4, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard Ty Lawson (3) controls the ball as Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (4) defends during the second quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 4, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard Ty Lawson (3) controls the ball as Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (4) defends during the second quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 18, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard Ty Lawson (3) drives against Portland Trail Blazers forward Ed Davis (17) in the first half at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 18, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard Ty Lawson (3) drives against Portland Trail Blazers forward Ed Davis (17) in the first half at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /

If the Rockets are serious about moving Ty Lawson, these five destinations could be a good fit for him.


When Ty Lawson was traded to the Houston Rockets, it was seen as a move that would bring the team closer to a championship. Instead, Lawson has been a disaster in Houston, and is on a rapid descent to a quick demise in the league, unless he picks up his effort and play very soon.

It’s just been a season of woes for the Rockets. They have fired their coach, James Harden hasn’t been as good as he can be and people are wondering when or if their slide down the standings is going to stop. It’s become clear that moves are going to need to be made.

When Ty Lawson was at his best, he was driving to the hoop and being aggressive, which in turn set up the other players on his team for wide open shots. In Houston, he isn’t doing that. He’s been lazy on the court and it’s hurt the Rockets offensively.

With the Rockets being a much more productive team with Lawson on the bench, rumors have began to surface of the Rockets willing to move Lawson for whatever they can get, according to Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders.

"The Rockets have been sniffing around the league for deals and there is a belief among other teams that Lawson could be had in trade, and had cheaply. Lawson is owed $12.4 million this season with the final $13.21 million of his deal being fully non-guaranteed. As the Rockets search for ways to change, there is a belief that Lawson could be the first Rocket player moved. But given how poorly Lawson has played in Houston and his troublesome off-the-court history, it’s hard to imagine that Lawson alone is going to yield much in return. But as teams start to get desperate, Lawson does have a career assist average of more than 6.5 assists per game and averaged 9.6 per game last season for the Nuggets. The Rockets have been sniffing around the league for deals and there is a belief among other teams that Lawson could be had in trade, and had cheaply. Lawson is owed $12.4 million this season with the final $13.21 million of his deal being fully non-guaranteed. As the Rockets search for ways to change, there is a belief that Lawson could be the first Rocket player moved. But given how poorly Lawson has played in Houston and his troublesome off-the-court history, it’s hard to imagine that Lawson alone is going to yield much in return. But as teams start to get desperate, Lawson does have a career assist average of more than 6.5 assists per game and averaged 9.6 per game last season for the Nuggets."

While trades can already be made, mid-December is sort of seen as an unofficial beginning of trade season in the NBA, because that’s when free agents who signed deals in the summer can be traded. It makes it much easier for the rest of teams looking to get in on deals to match salary.

Daryl Morey has never been afraid to wheel and deal during his career, as he has looked to either acquire assets or turn said assets into stars, such as the trade he made for James Harden.

Trading Lawson might not be hard because his contract isn’t guaranteed next year, but he’s not going to get much in return for Lawson and may have to give up a future asset to get rid of him. So if the Rockets are indeed serious about moving Lawson, there should be some deals to be made that could benefit both them and the team that they are trading with.

Here are five potential destinations for Ty Lawson.

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