Nuggets trade troubled Lawson to Rockets

McDaniels and speculating the Houston Rockets might use some of their copious youth to go out and grab a starting point guard when news broke they had done exactly that via a trade for Ty Lawson. And now he’s off to Houston, where the Rockets hope to have bought a talented player low.

But despite most teams not wanting to give up much to land Lawson, the Rockets were smart to take the plunge themselves.

That’s essentially Nick Johnson and a first rounder for Lawson.

After Lawson’s second DUI arrest in six months, market interest for him had been severely curbed, league sources said.

The Los Angeles Lakers were “determined bidders” for Nuggets’ guard Ty Lawson, according to Marc Stein of ESPN. The offensive firepower alone will be enough to get the Rockets back to the playoffs – though their backcourt defense will be a glaring weakness. However, a risk is involved in this deal as Lawson has not been in the right mind in his off-court activities.

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.

Sadly, for Nuggets fans, that might mean moving on from Danilo Gallinari. That move provided one of several indications that Lawson’s days in the Mile High City appeared up in smoke. At 38-years-old, he does not fit the mold of a player suited for a rebuilding team and is expected to be released or traded. It helps the team a lot. On the other hand, the Rockets could improve on their No. 2 overall pace from last season.

If the Nuggets have a shot at Simmons, Gallinari would be the odd man out.

If he hasn’t already, Lawson needs to meet Lucas.

But that assumption overlooked a simple truth that is becoming increasingly clear this summer: Vlade Divac makes the decisions, not George Karl. You don’t roll with a core built around Gallinari if a player like Ben Simmons is a real possibility.