Are the Houston Rockets looking to trade Ty Lawson?

Having played only 17 games for the team, the Houston Rockets appear to be looking to find a trade partner for prized offseason acquisition Ty Lawson.

According to Steve Kyler at basketballinsiders.com, the Rockets, who already fired head coach Kevin McHale in November, are looking to shake things up even more as the team is off to a dismal start to the season.

"The Rockets have been sniffing around the league for deals and there is a belief among other teams that Lawson could be had in trade, and had cheaply," Kyler said. "Lawson is owed $12.4 million this season with the final $13.21 million of his deal being fully non-guaranteed."

By all standards, the move to trade for Lawson this past offseason has been a disaster for both the Rockets and the embattled point guard. The Rockets are off to a disappointing 7-11 start, and Lawson is experiencing the worst season of his professional career. The 28-year-old is averaging a career-low 7.2 points per game, while shooting a horrific 33.6 percent from the field.

Lawson was already on thin ice before he arrived in Houston, as he had been arrested twice this past year for driving under the influence when he was still a member of the Denver Nuggets.

Regardless, the Rockets clearly need to do something to get their season back on track, and trading Lawson is a potential option.