NBA Trade Rumors: Five potential destinations for Ty Lawson
Danny Ainge likes to collect assets too, so don’t forget to include him in this either. If the Rockets are looking for someone to take on the contract of Ty Lawson, the Boston Celtics would absolutely want to get in on the deal if it meant picking up an asset, such as a pick from the Houston Rockets.
While their rebuilding efforts are vastly different than that of the Philadelphia 76ers, Danny Ainge has done a tremendous job of collecting assets in hopes of being able to land the next big superstar in Boston. Many believe that the Celtics are already primed to pull off the next big trade in the NBA, thanks to the plethora of assets and future first round picks that they have.
If they could acquire another asset by taking on the contract of Ty Lawson, then it’s game over for everyone else in the superstar trade race. They already have three picks in 2016 and potentially four depending on what Minnesota does this season. Houston’s 2016 pick is likely to stay with them if they don’t make the playoffs, so they probably wouldn’t give that up. But what about their 2017 pick? If they feel they will rebound, they might be willing to gladly give that up if a team can take Lawson.
If things currently shake out record wise for the Celtics, they would have just their pick in 2017, meaning they already settled their deals with Brooklyn and Dallas. Adding an additional 2017 pick, would keep the assets train rolling in Boston and Danny Ainge would be able to cash in right away if the opportunity presents itself.
So how would a deal work with the Rockets? Like Philadelphia, the Celtics might have a tricky time working contracts out with the Rockets, but it’s certainly workable. That’s just the life of trading with a team in assets mode.
One of the easiest trades that could happen for both sides in terms of contracts is a straight swap of David Lee for Ty Lawson, if Houston’s goal is just to get rid of him and they don’t mind paying a little bit more for the rest of this season. In that event, they might not even have to give up as much assets wise.
Where the real bargaining would be is if Boston wants a first to take on Lawson. They likely would, as there would be no other point to the trade. Perhaps Boston could also part with some combination of Evan Turner/Tyler Zeller/Jared Sullinger and a bunch of other small contracts, if it means getting a future first in return from Houston for taking on Lawson.
There’s a deal definitely to be made between these two sides, should they aim to strike up a conversation. Ainge wants to have as many assets as possible to get his superstar and the Rockets want to be able to move Lawson, if the rumors are true.
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