If the Denver Nuggets choose to undergo a complete rebuild, guard Ty Lawson and forward Kenneth Faried reportedly are likely to be traded. Teams interested in Lawson likely include the New York Knicks, the Houston Rockets, the Sacramento Kings and possibly the Dallas Mavericks, if soon-to-be free agent Rajon Rondo were to leave after the season.
The biggest questions heading into the offseason for Denver is whether the front office will break apart the team and start fresh. If Denver does decide to rebuild, Lawson and Faried may be among the first Nuggets players to go.
"There is a sense that if the Nuggets are planning on a major rebuild, Lawson may want out," Basketball Insiders' Steve Kyler wrote Monday. "Kenneth Faired, who agreed to a massive contract extension this past summer, continues to be mentioned as a possible trade candidate despite his new long-term pact..."
Lawson, 27, would certainly drum up interest in the offseason if Denver were to make him available. The speedy 1-guard has continued to improve in each of his last six seasons and is averaging 15.5 points and 9.7 assists, which ranks third in the league, per game this season. Along with his numbers and the fact he's now entering the prime of his career, Lawson's contract - $25.5 million over the next two seasons - makes him a bargain for a team needing an upgrade at point guard.
The Sacramento Kings were reportedly interested in trading for him in February, but nothing happened. If Lawson were made available this summer, teams likely to pursue him include the Los Angeles Lakers, the New York Knicks, the Houston Rockets and - depending on what happens with Rajon Rondo - the Dallas Mavericks.
Denver would have a high asking price for Lawson, likely demanding a first-round pick just for starters.
Faried has been rumored to be available for the right price since last summer, despite the Nuggets' having just signed him to a four-year extension worth $50 million. That contract extension, though, makes him a tough sell. Sacramento reportedly was very interested in landing Faried earlier in the season, prior to Faried's former coach, George Karl, taking over in February.
