The Denver Nuggets are aggressively shopping Ty Lawson as reports revealed that the starting point guard earned the ire of their coaching staff and team executives after missing their first practice following the All-Star break.
The Denver Post reported that the Nuggets are trying to move Lawson as they have already lost patience because of his off-court issues. According to Chris Broussard of ESPN, the Los Angeles Lakers are one of the teams who have expressed interest in acquiring the troubled playmaker.
Lawson, who is playing in his sixth year in the league after a successful career at North Carolina, is having a productive season as he is averaging 16.9 points to go along with 10.1 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game.
However, despite his impressive numbers, Nuggets coach Brian Shaw sounded like he has already given up on Lawson after missing their team practice.
"We had a week off or nine days between games, and you expect everybody to be here," Shaw told The Denver Post. "It disrupts the planning of everything, in terms of you count on somebody in practice. But he's not here so we had to go without him."
Sources indicated that the Lakers are trying to acquire Lawson, but it remains to be seen whether or not they have the assets to convince the Nuggets to strike a trade before the 3 p.m. EST deadline on Thursday.
Broussard also added that the Lakers are not the favorites to land Lawson in case the Nuggets eventually decide to pull the trigger on Thursday afternoon.
Shaw is reportedly pushing for a trade with the Indiana Pacers involving Lawson and George Hill, who he took under his wings during his time as an assistant coach for the Pacers from 2011 to 2013.
With their limited assets heading into the deadline, the InsideSoCal reported Wednesday night that the Lakers are now "unlikely" to strike a blockbuster trade before the deadline.
The Lakers, who are currently in 14th place in the Western Conference standings with their 13-40 record, also expressed interest in acquiring Goran Dragic, who informed the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday that he will not sign a new deal in the offseason.
Dragic reportedly listed the Lakers as one of his preferred destinations. But like in the talks linking them to Lawson, their lack of attractive assets put them out of the running for Dragic, who also wants a trade to the New York Knicks and Miami Heat. The Boston Celtics and Sacramento Kings are also talking to the Suns for a trade involving Dragic.
