Dallas Mavericks guard Rajon Rondo (Photo : REUTERS)
The prospect of Jeremy Lin suiting up for the Denver Nuggets next season gets a shot in the arm following reports about the Nuggets' interest in trading starting point guard Ty Lawson.
According to Mark Kiszla of the Denver Post, the Nuggets are expected to gauge the market for Lawson and power forward Kenneth Faried. Denver, which holds the 7th pick in the coming draft, is reportedly hoping to salvage another high pick by dealing away either or both established veterans.
"While Kroenke steadfastly refuses to offer specific names when talking about plans to aggressively retool the roster prior to opening night of the next NBA season, it's realistic to expect point guard Ty Lawson or forward Kenneth Faried or both to be part of trade discussions prior to the June 25 draft," Kiszla stressed.
Averaging 15.2 points and 9.6 assists in 44 percent shooting last season, the 27-year old Lawson has been the team's primary ball handler the past four years. But after back-to-back regular-season disappointments, his future with the Nuggets becomes uncertain with the team entrusting their future to young center Jusuf Nurkic and Italian sharpshooter Danilo Gallinari.
If the Nuggets pursue their plan in moving Lawson this offseason, it would be a welcome development for the 26-year old Lin, who is once again looking for a home after a tumultuous stint with the Los Angeles Lakers last season.
Lin's 2014-15 season averages (11.1 points and 4.6 assists) are inferior to Lawson's production, but his post All-Star break surge (when he averaged at least 15 points and 6 dimes) proved he's more than capable of putting up better numbers.
In fact, the Nuggets have been an appealing destination for Lin largely because of its run-and-gun style of play. In addition, the possibility of playing again under the wings of Mike D'Antoni, one of the frontrunners for the vacant head coaching job, is surely something hard to pass on.
Lin stressed at the end of the season that his priority for the coming summer will be to find a team where he can fit in well. The Nuggets appear to have all the criteria Lin would want for his new team, and with Lawson likely vacating his job soon, he might have another crack at becoming a regular starter again.
