Rockets' Ty Lawson calls upcoming season career 'turning point'

Ty Lawson's life appeared to be on a downward spiral this summer after he was arrested for the second time this year for driving under the influence.

The 27-year-old point guard entered a court-ordered, 30-day alcohol rehabilitation program as a result, which he completed in August. Despite his legal issues, the Houston Rockets traded for Lawson to bolster their backcourt, acquiring him in a five-player deal with the Denver Nuggets on July 20.

"This is like a turning point," Lawson said during Rockets media day Monday. "What kind of career are you going to have?"

The second of the remaining two years on Lawson's current $13.2-million deal isn't guaranteed, so the Rockets can evaluate Lawson's actions and on-court play during the 2015-16 campaign and cut ties with him afterward if they so choose.

Rockets All-Star James Harden, who visited Lawson during his rehab, plans to have a heart-to-heart chat with his new teammate at some point in the near future, according to ESPN's Calvin Watkins.

Lawson's arrival provides Houston with another playmaker, which the team so desperately lacked last season, to work alongside Harden. General manager Daryl Morey knew Harden and center Dwight Howard couldn't carry the load by themselves, which made the prospect of trading for Lawson all the more enticing.

There's no guarantee he'll even start over defensive-minded guard Patrick Beverley, but if he does, the floor general will take over passing duties, thereby freeing up Harden to put points on the board.

Lawson's 9.6 dimes per game ranked third in the league last season. He also averaged 15.6 points on 43.6 percent shooting and 34.1 percent from 3-point range in his final year in Denver.

As long as Lawson stays out of trouble, he should improve Houston's offense, which finished 12th in offensive efficiency (104.2 points per 100 possessions) in 2014-15.