MALIBU―Denver Nuggets’ point guard Ty Lawson was arrested on suspicion of driving while under the influence of alcohol on Tuesday, July 14. The arrest, which occurred in the Los Angeles area, is Lawson’s second DUI this year. Lawson is scheduled to enter a 30-day rehab program at Cliffside Malibu beginning Saturday, July 18.
According to the California Highway Patrol, Lawson was driving a white Mercedes at high speeds on the 101 freeway at the time of his arrest. The basketball star reportedly had large sums of cash on him at the time. Lawson was released from a Los Angeles County jail after posting a $5,000 bail, $3,500 more than the bail from his first DUI arrest earlier this year. He is due in court in Denver on Friday for his January 2015 DUI and is expected to report to rehab in Malibu the following morning.
The point guard has been the subject of much trade speculation this off-season. It is becoming less likely that the Nuggets will re-sign Lawson as they continue to sign free-agents, including another point guard, that will take up valuable playing time and cap space.
Both the Clippers and Lakers were once possible trade destinations for Lawson whose value has severely diminished in recent months. He still has two years and over $25 million remaining on his contract with the Nuggets who would be responsible for the full amount if they decided to cut him from the team.
Both the Lakers and Clippers have shored up the point guard position this off-season with the signings of Austin Rivers for the Clippers and the drafting of D’Angelo Russel for the Lakers.
Lawson, once a coveted asset, has seen his value decline in the last few years due to his habitual run-ins with the law. Cliffside Malibu specializes in drug and alcohol addiction treatment and is often host to high-profile individuals.
