Person with knowledge of the deal: Timberwolves to trade Ty Lawson to Denver Nuggets

AP Source: Wolves agree to trade Lawson to Denver

DENVER — The Denver Nuggets have traded a future first-round draft pick to Minnesota for the rights to North Carolina point guard Ty Lawson, according to a person familiar with the deal.

The Nuggets, who lacked a first-round pick for the fourth straight year, landed Lawson in exchange for a future first-round pick they had acquired from Charlotte last year, according to the person, who confirmed the deal to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the league hadn’t announced the trade.

ESPN first reported the deal on its broadcast of the draft Thursday night.

The Nuggets have long coveted Lawson, who opted to return to school last year and then led the Tar Heels to the national championship.

Denver needed a reserve point guard to spell Chauncey Billups, who tired toward the end of the Nuggets’ run to the Western Conference finals last month. Billups will be 33 next season.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Timberwolves say they will trade North Carolina guard Ty Lawson after making him the 18th pick in the NBA draft.

A Timberwolves spokesman would not discuss the trade because it had not been announced Thursday night.

The Timberwolves had already picked up guards Ricky Rubio at No. 5 and Jonny Flynn at No. 6. They have no room for Lawson, who led the Tar Heels to the national championship last season.