Rockets agree to acquire Ty Lawson from Nuggets in trade

National Basteball Association sources said overnight that the Houston Rockets have agreed to send Nick Johnson, Joey Dorsey, Pablo Prigioni, Kostas Papanikolaou and a 2016 lottery protected draft pick in the first round to Denver in exchange for Ty Lawson and a second round 2017 draft pick.

Lawson will join the backcourt with Patrick Beverley, who the Rockets resigned last week and MVP-Runner-Up James Harden.

Lawson was arrested and charged with his fourth DUI – and second within a year – on July 14, but the relationship between he and the Nuggets had been strained long before that. If the Rockets can get the good Ty Lawson, then they can challenge the Golden State Warriors for the West crown.

Even without Lawson, Houston’s depth was insane.

The trade also means that Emmanuel Mudiay will become the starting point guard.

Secondly, and most importantly, Houston may be one of the best possible fits for Lawson in terms of turning his life around. Think about the carnage the Rockets will encounter just within their division.

A mentally engaged Lawson offers a dimension the Rockets need.

But off-the-court he was a mess this season for whatever reason, and after a DUI in January as the Nuggets hurtled toward one of the worst records in the National Basteball Association, Lawson thought he was getting traded last month during the National Basteball Association draft. He needs help; and if he doesn’t get it, none of that other stuff will matter. He will suit the Rockets up-tempo style of play.

Turns out that Vince Ellis was right all along. 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. It’s hard to know, just now, whether Lawson wants to change. The lefty has work to do on his perimeter shot, but shooting is a skill that young players can develop. Whether they start Ty or bring him off of the bench he would be a great addition to this up and coming Magic team.