In an effort to get his once-promising career back on track, former UNC point guard Ty Lawson agreed to a one-year contract Sunday night with the Sacramento Kings.

Over the course of his seven seasons in the NBA, Lawson–a key cog during the Tar Heels’ 2009 national title run–has averaged a solid 13 points and six assists per game.

He has also established himself as one of the league’s quickest players with the ball in his hands–mostly during his first six seasons with the Denver Nuggets.

After being charged with his fourth DUI in July of 2015, however, the Nuggets worked out a trade that sent Lawson to the Houston Rockets.

Playing alongside superstars James Harden and Dwight Howard, he was lost in the shuffle on the court in Houston–all while simultaneously trying to clean up his life off the court.

His averages fell to just 5.8 points and 3.4 assists in his 53 games with the Rockets. By midseason, the marriage clearly wasn’t beneficial to either side. Lawson was waived by the team soon after.

The Indiana Pacers made a move to acquire him, but that experiment didn’t quite pan out either–with Lawson seeing just 18 minutes of playing time per night during his 13-game stint with the team.

By joining the Kings, he’ll be competing with Darren Collison for time at the point guard position. Collison was the team’s backup last season behind Rajon Rondo–who recently left to become a member of the Chicago Bulls.

Although the Sacramento organization has been somewhat of a punchline within the league over the last few years, it could serve as a launching pad for Lawson to get himself back to the player he was before.

Related Stories
‹
Coby White Sets New NBA Career High With 36 Points
Former UNC star point guard Coby White caught fire Wednesday night in the NBA, pouring in a career-high 36 points for the Chicago Bulls in a 128-124 loss on the road to the Sacramento Kings. White made 15 of his 23 shots from the field, including a 4-for-9 mark from three-point range, as he also […]
Vince Carter Signs One-Year Contract With Atlanta Hawks
Father Time hasn’t stopped Vince Carter just yet. Although old age has brought Carter’s game below the rim as time has gone on, the 41-year-old former UNC star agreed Wednesday evening to a one-year deal with the Atlanta Hawks–a deal that will see him play in the NBA for the 21st consecutive year. Carter reportedly […]
NBA Summer League Update: Jackson and Bradley Stay Hot, Tokoto Gets Chance With Defending NBA Champs
Sunday’s NBA Summer League action in Las Vegas saw a pair of former first round picks from UNC–Justin Jackson and Tony Bradley–continue to shine, while JP Tokoto earned himself some valuable minutes for the Golden State Warriors. Jackson dropped a team-high 28 points for the Sacramento Kings in an 88-78 loss to the Los Angeles […]
Memphis Grizzlies Waive Brice Johnson
Former UNC standout Brice Johnson was waived on Tuesday by the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies, the team announced on Twitter. Johnson, a former first-round pick by the Los Angeles Clippers in 2016, was previously traded to the Grizzlies on Feb. 8 from the Detroit Pistons–where the Clippers sent him in late January as part of the […]
Charlotte Hornets Sign Marcus Paige to Two-Way Contract
Former UNC point guard Marcus Paige agreed Tuesday to a two-way contract with the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets–a new type of deal which will allow Paige to remain under the Hornets’ team control while he plays for the Greensboro Swarm in the NBA G-League. Formerly called the NBA Developmental League–before a new sponsorship from Gatorade kicked […]
Vince Carter Signs With Sacramento Kings, Will Play 20th NBA Season
Over the course of his storied career, former UNC men’s basketball star Vince Carter has certainly lived up to his “Half-Man, Half-Amazing” nickname and then some. It’s at the point now, however, where it’d be reasonable to wonder if Carter is actually a human at all. The 40-year-old agreed Thursday to a one-year, $8 million […]
Chansky's Notebook: Development
As UNC has tried to figure out its roster management, some players improved their career by staying and others by leaving for new pastures.
Holding Court: Regaining a Prominent Place in the NBA Universe
Recently, UNC basketball has fallen from its prominent perch in the NBA universe, with only seven former players on opening day rosters.
Stroman on Sports: Hoops... in September???
Deborah Stroman joins 97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell on Friday, September 29, to talk some basketball headlines.
Michael Jordan to Appear on Cover of NBA 2K23
Even almost two decades after his (final) retirement, His Airness still dominates the NBA. Michael Jordan will grace the cover of special editions of NBA 2K23, the video game announced Tuesday. No other way to do it for 2️⃣3️⃣ Introducing our #NBA2K23 Cover Athlete Michael Jordan 🏀Michael Jordan Edition🏆Championship Edition Pre-order starting 7/7 pic.twitter.com/WwVTynbK2x — […]
›