The Denver Nuggets may look at a Ty Lawson trade this year after signing Jameer Nelson to a free agent contract and adding Emmanuel Mudiay in the NBA draft, as the rookie has looked strong in the Summer League and Nelson has the chance split time with Mudiay if the point guard gets pushed into the starting lineup.
The Nuggets have been mentioned in trade rumors with Ty Lawson all offseason and teams like the Sacramento Kings, Dallas Mavericks and NY Knicks have had reported interest. The Nuggets are coming off of a tough year and for a time it looked like the team could sell big, as the Denver Post reported in late June that there were ""no untouchable players" on the roster. That did not end up happening, but reports had Lawson as a target for George Karl with the Sacramento Kings and that kicked into high gear when Mudiay was drafted.
The Nuggets have brought in Jameer Nelson this offseason on a deal, as Marc Stein from ESPN is reporting that the team has signed Nelson along with Nikola Jokic. Stein reports that sources have said the Nelson deal is three years and over $13 million, while Jokic is in on a four year deal for over $5 million.
Karl reportedly wanted to trade for Kenneth Faried and Lawson after having both players when he was coach in Denver. The deal did not come close to happening and now that the Kings have signed Rajon Rondo, it looks like the deal with Lawson won't be happening with the Kings. Basketball Insiders reported earlier in the year that Lawson and Faried would rather be traded than deal with a "long rebuild" in Denver. As things stand now, it looks like Lawson will be traded over Faried if a deal happens.
Check here for more on the potential trade of Ty Lawson this year, more on the deal for Nelson and more on Mudiay and his impressive play in the summer league.
The Nuggets have just bought in Jameer Nelson on a free agent deal and with the draft pick of Mudiay, it gives general manager Tim Connelly some flexibility with Lawson. Mudiay likely will need some time to develop this season and adding someone like Nelson gives the team a veteran that has had tons of starting experience. Mark Kiszla of the Denver Post wrote that Mudiay "could spell trouble" for Lawson moving forward, as he has been a disappointment with the Nuggets and has had issues with the front office.
Mudiay has been playing well in the summer league and with Nelson also coming in, it likely means the end of the road for Lawson. According to Pro Basketball Talk, Mudiay has "stood out" in summer league play and he has been the "most impressive rookie" among the 2015 class through a few games. The team may not trade Lawson this summer, but he will be a prime candidate to get traded during the season or at the NBA trading deadline next winter, according to Kiszla.
The Nuggets had a tough season last year and now they are moving forward with Kenneth Faried as the main centerpiece and Mudiay as a new player to build around. Mudiay was first projected as a potential top five pick leading into the season, but he dropped a bit with the emergence of D'Angelo Russell and Kristaps Porzingis. Mudiay fell down in the first round, but the Nuggets were happy to grab him even with Ty Lawson already on the team.