Ty Lawson, suspended two games, considering options outside Houston

The Houston Rockets say they are committed to point guard Ty Lawson, but his representatives are investigating his trade value with other teams, according to multiple sources.

With Lawson having lost his starting job and with a two-game suspension beginning Saturday after he pleaded guilty to driving while impaired, his trade value could be low.

Lawson was suspended two games by the NBA based on his guilty plea in November for driving while impaired and a lane usage violation after leaving a party in Denver in January. He has a Jan. 14 sentencing hearing where he faces up to 180 days in jail.

The suspension starts Saturday when the Rockets host the Los Angeles Clippers. Lawson will also miss Monday's home game against the Charlotte Hornets. Lawson can appeal the suspension through the players' union, according to a source, but he has a desire to play in the Rockets' Christmas Day game against the San Antonio Spurs.

The Rockets traded four backup players for the talented point guard in the offseason. Lawson started the first 11 games of the season, but a lack of offensive chemistry and poor defense forced interim coach J.B. Bickerstaff to bench him forPatrick Beverley.

Lawson has played better, yet in the past two games he has taken just four shots and hasn't scored.

Bickerstaff said the team believes in Lawson and is committed to using players who perform the best off the bench.

On the season, Lawson is averaging 5.9 points and 4.2 assists per game, below his career averages of 13.7 points and 6.5 assists per game.

Lawson could also be suspended by the league for another arrest on suspicion of driving while intoxicated that occurred in Los Angeles in July. After that arrest, a Denver judge ordered Lawson to spend 30 days in an alcohol rehab facility.