NBA Trade Rumors: Five potential destinations for Ty Lawson
The Portland Trail Blazers are in full rebuild mode around Damian Lillard. With the Blazers seeking to acquire young talent for the future, it is important that they also start collecting assets soon so that they can have future ammo for trades along with their own draft picks.
One of the best ways for a team that is rebuilding to do that is to take on contracts and take an asset with it. Taking on Ty Lawson’s contract would be a great thing for Portland to do, if they can get a first-round pick to go with it. As has been discussed with the other deals, that would likely mean Houston‘s first in 2017, because if they miss the playoffs this year, they aren’t likely to trade a lottery pick. If they do make the playoffs, then they don’t even get their pick anyways.
However, they do have their pick in 2017, and that’s the pick that Portland should go after if they’re trying to collect future assets. Lawson’s contract isn’t guaranteed for next season, which makes it easy for a team like Portland to take on his contract. The team is already set up nice for future flexibility, so they wouldn’t have to risk anything by taking him on.
A deal would be easy to work out contractually for him two, as Portland has two expiring deals this season that would work in a deal for Lawson. They could send Chris Kaman and Maurice Harkless to Houston and get Lawson and a pick in return.
It clears the books for Houston and gives Portland a future asset in return. If Houston is really wanting to part with Lawson, instead of him just playing out the season and waiving him for no loss of an asset, then this could be a deal to do as well.