The Houston Rockets have finally addressed one of the departments where they sorely needed help in after reportedly inking controversial and now former Denver Nuggets point guard Ty Lawson.
The Denver Nuggets have sent Lawson and a 2017 second-round pick to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Kostas Papanikolaou, Pablo Prigioni, Joey Dorsey, Nick Johnson and a lottery-protected 2016 first-round draft pick.
The Rockets have been in serious search for another guard to add to their mix, something that they sorely needed in their last playoffs run.
It will be recalled that the Rockets were without Patrick Beverly throughout the playoffs and despite the efforts of Jason Terry, it was evident that the Rockets needed another point guard to help set things in order. Lawson is someone the Rockets feel that could fit that role perfectly although his arrival would bring some external issues as well.
That includes a second DUI charge in six months which has resulted in the 27-year-old player undergoing rehab at Cliffside Malibu over in Los Angeles. Lawson is required to complete a 30-day residential treatment program so that no charges will be filed against the 18th overall pick of the 2009 NBA Draft.
For the Nuggets, the trade of Lawson ends their search for a take for the disgruntled guard. With his departure, incoming rookie Emmanuel Mudiay is expected to fill in the shoes as the new starting point guard of the Nuggets.
Mudiay was the 7th overall pick in the recent NBA Draft and has been impressive so far in the NBA Summer League where he averaged 12.5 points and 5.8 assists.
With regards to Lawson, the Rockets are confident that the 5-foot-11 point guard is what the team is lacking. The advantage of Lawson is that he can create situations once the need arises and such is something that Kevin McHale is reportedly looking for especially when the starters take a breather.
For Lawson, his stint with the Rockets offers him another opportunity to get his act together.
