“If didn’t know by now, Yo a** better call somebody” in my Road Dogg Jesse James voice, Ty Lawson was traded to the Houston Rockets this week. The recently troubled point guard has been in the news this year a lot because of his multiple DUI situations, which is never a great look. Problems or not, the addition of Lawson makes the Rockets that much more dangerous.
The Rockets acquired Lawson for some bubble gum, an indoor/outdoor basketball and some shoe strings. On top of that Lawson made the last year of his deal unguaranteed so if he messes up the Rockets can let him go after the season without much repercussion. I personally think this trade is going to work and it upgrades the backcourt immediately. Just imagine Harden and Lawson, then you can play Patrick Beverly 25-30 minutes each night, say what you want that’s respectable.
The only question besides will he control his drinking habits is how fast will he and Harden mesh? I think Harden’s experience with Russell Westbrook will help out a lot with Lawson even though they are two different types of players. Lawson is coming off a year where he averaged a career high in assist per game at 9.6, and while that number may drop history shows Lawson will be in the 14, 7 (points/assists) no matter what.
The Nuggets receive a lottery protected first-round pick in 2016 and cash considerations along with Nick Johnson, Kostas Papanikolaou, Pablo Prigioni and Joey Dorsey in the deal that also sends a 2017 second-round pick to Houston for Lawson. (See comment in the second paragraph)
Unless Papanikolaou or Johnson blows up it’s no way this deal ever looks bad for the Rockets. We know that even if they lose that protected first-round pick it won’t be lower than 20th.
Lawson is a good creator for himself and others, which is something the Rockets desperately need following James Harden. The Rockets had to make this move to keep pace with the heavy hitters in the West. The Spurs, Clippers and Thunder all got better this off season.
