Houston Rockets

Rockets reportedly have plan to unload Ty Lawson if Utah deal falls through

Published Feb. 18, 2016 10:11 a.m. ET

foxsports

The Rockets are apparently doing whatever they can to unload the point guard they traded for this summer. Now, they're reportedly willing to take it to the extreme.

When Houston acquired the much-maligned Ty Lawson this past summer, it thought it was receiving one of the 10 best point guards in the NBA. He still may be one of the more talented ones. But now, as the Rockets talk about trading him with teams like the Jazz, they're actually willing to take it a step further if that deal falls through:

Houston has reportedly placed a deal on the table for Utah either to accept or decline:

If anyone told you a year ago that Utah would be shopping Trey Burke and it would be searching for a trade to trump a straight-up offer for Ty Lawson, you wouldn't believe it. But considering Lawson's tumultuous offseason, an off-court history involving alcohol issues and, probably most importantly, the fact that his play has tailed off more than ever, his value has plummeted. And it's apparently to the point where Houston just wants him off the team no matter what.

Remember though, if Houston is showing its hand, if it is actually willing to waive Lawson, then the Jazz don't have much incentive to give up any pieces for him. Why give up value when you can sign him for free? Plus, the Jazz are one of only three teams with cap space (they have about $7 million), so they wouldn't have to worry about being outbid. Other teams who are looking for a point guard — say, the Knicks — are over the cap and would only be able to offer a minimum deal.