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Nuggets reportedly trade troubled Lawson to Rockets
Posted On Jul 21 2015
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The Rockets, who also receive a 2017 second-round pick, will send Kostas Papanikolaou, Pablo Prigioni, Joey Dorsey, Nick Johnson and a protected first-round draft pick to the Nuggets, according to Wojnarowski. Instead, the Nuggets received depth, cleared salary space and a first-round draft pick.
The Nuggets were going to be a dumpster fire this season anyway. He has the potential to be a key piece for Houston and if he can focus on basketball, I believe he is capable of helping the Rockets go all the way. Lawson is a speedy penetrating guard that will push the tempo and allow Harden to rest more often. The Pelicans added Alvin Gentry, and are hoping that a healthy Jrue Holiday is able to help stabilize the offense as they unleash holy hell through Anthony Davis.
Lawson had really hurt his trade value recently by collecting his second DUI arrest. Despite having a high-quality defender in Patrick Beverley already in place, Morey has been involved in multiple point-guard rumors over the past few years.
But despite most teams not wanting to give up much to land Lawson, the Rockets were smart to take the plunge themselves. Three weeks later, Lawson was popped for DUI again. He will suit the Rockets up-tempo style of play.
The Rockets won’t be the Western Conference favorites heading into next season, but they’re certainly going to be in the same room with the Spurs, Warriors, Thunder and Clippers heading into next season.
The Nuggets are planning to waive or trade Prigioni within the next 24 hours and that means he would be owed just $440,000.
Lawson, 27, has 2 years and a little more than million dollars left on his contract. The lefty has work to do on his perimeter shot, but shooting is a skill that young players can develop. The guy is clearly incapable of making good decisions in this regard. While you can question this move when it comes to what it will mean for team chemistry, from a pure talent perspective the Rockets bought low on an extremely talented player.
