Rockets may waive Ty Lawson if they can’t trade him
By Tom West
The Houston Rockets may consider waiving Ty Lawson if they can’t trade him.
Ty Lawson was supposed to be a fantastic acquisition for the Houston Rockets last summer. To add even more talent to their backcourt to support James Harden, Lawson was the kind of assisting double-double machine that should have made a significant impact. And yet, with the NBA trade deadline mere hours away, Lawson’s time in Houston apparently will end one way of the other – either in a trade or by being waived.
Marc Stein of ESPN has reported that if the Rockets’ trade talks about Lawson fail, there’s a good chance they’ll resort to waiving him.
ESPN sources say Rockets, if Ty Lawson trade talks with Utah were to collapse, would strongly consider waiving Lawson if they can't move him
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 18, 2016
Besides the Jazz, as Stein mentioned, other teams will inquire about Lawson. Point guards are always in high demand in today’s NBA and for someone with decreasing value, he’s worth asking about. Just last season Lawson averaged 15.2 points and 9.6 assists per game, and the floor general is still alive in him somewhere. Behind the off-court problems and terrible fit with the Rockets, Lawson can contribute in the right situation.
Other than Jeff Teague of the Atlanta Hawks, there aren’t too many notable point guards that have appeared in NBA trade rumors recently. Teague is going to command a high return, so it makes sense that franchises in need of a new point are looking to give Lawson a shot to redeem himself and prove he can still produce.
Plus, as Houston seems willing to waive him all together, the asking price must be incredibly low – hence why other teams should consider taking a risk.
Ultimately, it’s not that surprising for Lawson’s career with the Rockets end in disappointment – he was a bad fit for the team, after all. It’s just a shame to see such a talented player fall so fast.