Nuggets trade guard Ty Lawson to Rockets

On the other hand, their bench now features Patrick Beverley, a starting-caliber point guard who is also a lockdown defender. Lawson cratered his value last week when he was arrested for his fourth DUI as an National Basteball Association player, but the Rockets swooped in to strengthen their title-contending roster and turn the West into even more of a bloodbath than it was previously. Nick Johnson and Joey Dorsey go along for the ride, mainly to make the obtuse math surrounding the NBA’s trade rules work. It’s not flawless, but both teams think they are better for this move. In 2013-14, he produced a career-best 17.6 points per game.

Ty Lawson was finally traded, but not to the Kings.

For the Nuggets, the Emmanuel Mudiay era that was a certainty after the 2015 draft became official.

“For Denver, the ability to secure a first-round pick in an otherwise barren market for Lawson was something of a coup for general manager Tim Connelly”, Wojnarowski wrote.

Lawson also needs distance from what one person close to him described as a troubled relationship with reality TV actor Ashley Pettiford, with whom he has a daughter. This seems like a good start, but there is a vast difference between someone admitting they have a problem and seeking help and one forced to get help. Think about the carnage the Rockets will encounter just within their division.

Lawson was the 18th overall pick in the 2009 National Basteball Association draft. In losing Josh Smith to the Clippers, and watching LaMarcus Aldridge sign with San Antonio, the Rockets took a serious step back in the Western Conference arms race.

Given Houston didn’t give up anyone from their rotation to acquire Lawson, this was a risk worth taking. It’s hard to know, just now, whether Lawson wants to change. Yet another offseason, and he manages to undeniably improve his team, looking like he’s the lone chess player in a league full of checkers all-stars.