Ty Lawson Arrested for Possible DUI; Could Spark Nuggets Fire Sale

Ty Lawson Arrested for Possible DUI; Could Spark Nuggets Fire Sale
Denver Nuggets guard Ty Lawson, left, drives the lane for a shot as San Antonio Spurs guard Patty Mills, of Australia, center, and forward Tim Duncan defend in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2015, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Zachary Stieber
1/23/2015
Updated:
7/18/2015

Denver Nuggets guard Ty Lawson was arrested early Friday on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, which could spark a fire sale for the struggling team.

Lawson, 27, is the Nuggets starting point guard, and one of their best players. Even losing him for several games would be devastating to Denver, which is already seven games out of the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference. 

The Denver Post reported that Lawson was driving 61 miles per hour in a 35 miles per hour zone on Park Avenue West in Denver at 1:19 a.m. 

The arresting officer said that Lawson’s speech was slurred and that his breath “had a strong odor of an unknown alcoholic beverage.” 

After Lawson refused to submit to a chemical test, he was arrested. 

The Nuggets declined to comment, citing team policy.

With the Nuggets already so far behind in the intense West playoff race, this arrest could be the final action needed for management to deal other players.

Denver has only made one major deal so far this season, sending starting center Timofey Mozgov to Cleveland for draft picks.

A number of Nuggets players have received widespread interest, including starters Wilson Chandler and Arron Afflalo.

Chandler, 27, is averaging 13.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists.

Afflalo, 29, is averaging 15.2 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.8 assists.

Other players that could possibly be dealt include Lawson himself, and recently acquired Jameer Nelson.