Nuggets trade up for point guard Ty Lawson

June 25, 8:49 PMDenver Nuggets ExaminerMike Wolf

Previous Next

3 comments Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Denver Nuggets Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

Lawson brings championship pedigree.  AP

It's raining point guards in the 2009 NBA draft.  The Denver Nuggets have traded a first-round draft pick acquired from the Charlotte Bobcats (unprotected in 2014) to the Minnesota Timberwolves for the rights to North Carolina point guard Ty Lawson.  The T'wolves selected Lawson with the 18th pick in the first round.

In a radio interview Thursday morning on Denver's 104.3 The Fan, Nuggets VP of basketball operations Mark Warkentien hinted that Denver might move up in the draft to select a point guard.

"If you look at our team, we have three point guards in their 30s," said Warkentien.  "It makes sense."

Lawson averaged 16.6 points, 6.6 assists and 2.1 steals as a junior in the Tar Heels' 2008-09 championship season.  He's also: 

• Listed at 6'0'' but plays a bit smaller than that. 
• As smart a basketball player as anyone in the draft.  
• Lightning-quick off the dribble and makes good decisions in the open floor. 
• Could have durability issues guarding the NBA's big, strong guards.
• He brings (college) championship pedigree to the Nuggets.