After selecting D’Angelo Russell with the No. 2 at the NBA Draft, the Los Angeles Lakers had high hopes of landing an All-Star big man in free agency. While free agency did not go according to plan, general manager Mitch Kupchak and company traded for Roy Hibbert while signing Lou Williams and Brandon Bass.
With Summer League in Las Vegas currently in progress, the Lakers are among the teams interested in trading for Ty Lawson of the Denver Nuggets according to Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated:
Despite a second DUI arrest in the last six months, embattled Denver Nuggets guard Ty Lawson is generating interest on the trade market, NBA sources told SI.com. Houston, Detroit and the L.A. Lakers are among the teams that have expressed interest in Lawson recently, and there remains a strong possibility the Nuggets could unload Lawson before training camp.
With a second DUI in the last six months, Lawson’s stock has plummeted and the Nuggets may be more willing to move him with the strong play of Emmanuel Mudiay in Summer League. Although Lawson averaged 15.2 points and 9.6 assists this past season, he has been on the trading block this off-season.
While Los Angeles has had previous interest in Lawson, trading for him would create a crowded backcourt. Along with Russell and Williams, Jordan Clarkson is expected to start in the backcourt as Kobe Bryant will likely shift to the small forward position.