Report: Word Circulated Ty Lawson Wanted To Leave Nuggets, Who Might Trade Him Now

I really like Ty Lawson's game.
Is he a fit for Boston? Maybe.
I think they have bigger fish to fry before getting another point guard.

Here's the real question.
What position will Marcus Smart play?
Will he be a regular starter at either guard position?

Good question about Smart, TJ.  I've been asking that one all season long.  If he remains a Celtic (which is likely), his situation will require a leap of faith at some point.

If he's a "1," it'll probably require a lot of criss-crossing, "find the other guard's man" type of defense for both him and the "2."  I know a lot of people think that's easy enough to accomplish, but it's NOT.  It's an inefficient way to play transitional defense in particular.

If Smart plays the "2" position, he'd certainly be a great defensive matchup in the vast majority of cases.  But the SG slot is one in which the Celtics need a lights out shooter, not a sporadic one.  His ability to leap from being a sporadic shooter to being a dependable shooter and then to being a lights out shooter is very much in doubt as far as I'm concerned.  As for taking the ball to the hoop, I believe he can become very capable n that regard; but Brad's system will apparently need the lights out guy at SG.

Of the two positions, however, I believe

But this thread is about Lawson, whom I view as a poor man's Westbrook.  I believe that, regardless of what other qualities a Celtics floor general of the future represents, speed will be an essential quality in the coming years.  My only question would be about Lawson's defensive capabilities, and maybe someone can fill me in on that.

Sam

And, Bobh, for those who hate per-36-minutes stats, Lawson actually did average 35.5 mpg this past season, with an average of 9.6 assists.

Sam

I've looked up a few scouting reports, and I guess Ty's defense is at least average (and maybe better than average) predicated largely on his quickness.  However, he can be bullied by larger opponents (he's listed at 5' 11").  So I voted "Yes."

The one other thing I'm not sure about is his judgment.  Using an instant telegram to roast James Harden's defense.  Broadcasting the defensive communication problems of the Nuggets.  Letting it be known that he might like to leave the Nuggets.

But, once again, in terms of acting professional, I believe that's what Brad's Celtics are all about.

Sam

We already have invested in our two guard positions. Let's see how that plays out with a little seasoning.

We need a center (or 2) and a scoring wing. We should keep our eyes on the prize!!

I voted NO.

gyso

gyso,

Good points.

My feeling is that, if Danny got Lawson, I don't believe the number of guard positions in which he has invested would change.  Because I believe another guard might be traded (including, perhaps, Isaiah Thomas).  Just for kicks, I tried the salary thing on both Trade Checker and Trade Machine.  Trade Machine (which I trust more than Trade Checker) said a one-for-one trade would not work.  Trade Checker said it would work.

Given the alternative of having (1) a dynamic but very short scorer with okay playmaking ability who's best qualified for bench play—and arguably a shooting guard position at that and (2) a dynamic, better-defending, slightly taller, better playmaker who's best qualified to be a starting floor general, I'd probably take the latter.

My number one reason is that, regardless of directions in which NBA offenses may be moving, I feel a team is lacking without having a true floor general (with all the strategic insights that implies) guiding the team.  I'm not sure how much strategic insight Lawson has, but averaging 10 assists a night suggests that (1) shooting might not always be his number one priority and (2) he'd probably be more capable than Thomas of changing his game to becoming more of a strategic coach on the floor.

As the team (especially if it's retooled this summer) develops chemistry, I believe the floor general has more impact on the other four positions than any other offensive player.  And I'd like that floor general to be someone who could potentially be around for a while.

I hear Las Vegas is setting odds on how what proportion of this board's conjectures will actually come true this summer.

Sam

One thing is for sure: there are a tonne (I'm british today) of intriguing and available free agents, trade targets, and draft prospects.

And our trade exceptions are bound to bring us free stuff.

Thomas is a year younger and a more productive player in nearly every category. Why in the world would Danny trade Isaiah for Ty?

I tend to agree with Gyso and mrkleen here.

unless Danny sees Lawson as a clear upgrade over Thomas, a trade wouldn't make sense.

Lawson has two more years at over $12M each on the books also.