As injuries pile up, the Washington Wizards are in the market for a backup guard and they should take a chance on veteran free agent Ty Lawson.
The trade deadline has come and gone quietly in the nation’s capital as the Washington Wizards decided not to make any significant alterations to their roster. They did, however, clear space for a mid-season acquisition. This paved the way for a key decision for the team’s front office as injuries accumulate before the All-Star break.
On Monday, ESPN reported that the Wizards considered journeyman guard Ty Lawson a “serious candidate” to fill in while the team deals with a string on untimely injuries.
All-Star guard John Wall is out for an extended period of time because of another knee procedure. His backup, Tomas Satoransky, is trying to clear concussion protocol after a serious fall in the team’s win over Chicago on Saturday. And the backup’s backup (Tim Frazier) is dealing with a nasal fracture that he induced in that same game.
The current situation is so bad—as NBCSports Washington reported—the team practiced with just seven players and had Otto Porter running point.
.@WashWizards had only 7 players today in practice. Otto Porter ran Point Guard. Tim Frazier had nasal surgery Sunday. Tomas Satoransky passed the first stage of concussion protocol. #DCFamily
— Chris Miller 🎥🎙🏀 (@CMillsPXP) February 12, 2018
Reports have also linked Washington to a host of free agent guards including Derrick Rose and former Wizard Ramon Sessions.
Each guard presents unique skill sets, but it’s Lawson that’s the most intriguing.
Coming out of North Carolina in 2009, Lawson was first-round pick because of his elite speed and ability to run a NBA team that valued pace. He thrived in Denver and averaged 15 points and 9.6 assists in 2014 as a member of the Nuggets.
Since that career year, he’s had some off-court issues that have resulted in a downward spiral. Lawson has been with three teams in the last three years and most recently played in China when he went unsigned this past summer.
All in all, the 30-year-old veteran still provides speed of the bench. The Wizards are more dangerous when pushing the pace, and with Wall out they aren’t consistently doing so. Lawson still has the ability to play with pace, especially against backup point guards.
At the very least Lawson could give Satoransky a break, or if Sato has to miss a game or two, step into a more prominent role.
At this point in his career, Lawson will be thrilled to on a NBA roster. Management won’t have to worry about financial constraints and Scott Brooks won’t have to deal with massaging his ego.
It’s a low risk, possibly high reward move. One that is perfect timing for a team in desperate need.