NBA Rumors: Knicks Won’t Be Pursuing Point Guard Ty Lawson

Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Knicks have freed up a roster spot with the team not re-signing Jimmer Fredette to another 10-day contract. All year long the team has been looking for an upgrade at the point guard but haven’t made any moves to find a better option than veteran Jose Calderon.

It appears the Knicks may wait until the NBA offseason to upgrade the position in free agency. One option that recently became available is Ty Lawson, who was bought out by the Houston Rockets. Although Lawson is an upgrade, the Knicks brass will pass on the opportunity to sign him, according to Marc Berman of the New York Post:

The Knicks have had internal discussions about point guard Ty Lawson, who was waived by the Rockets on Tuesday, but have decided not to make a play, according to an NBA source.

Although Lawson is now officially a free agent, no team has emerged as a favorite to sign the veteran point guard. The Knicks are the only team that has been rumored to be interested thus far.

With Rockets buying out Lawson’s contract before the deadline on Tuesday, the 28-year-old is eligible to join a playoff-bound team. Lawson may be holding out hope to join a playoff contender rather than sign with a squad like the Knicks whose season will likely come to an end next month.

In 53 games with the Rockets this season, Lawson averaged 5.8 points, 3.4 assists, and 1.7 rebounds per game while shooting a career-low 38.7 percent from the floor. Although nowhere near the borderline All-Star-caliber numbers veteran typically produces on an annual basis, Lawson may still be a solid option in the backcourt for a playoff team.

Houston clearly wasn’t the right fit for Lawson and New York may have been a similar situation.