Judge orders Ty Lawson to spend 30 days in rehab

Denver Nuggets point guard Ty Lawson was ordered Friday to spend 30 days in an alcohol rehabilitation program by Judge Doris Burd, reports Jesse Aaron Paul of the Denver Post.

Lawson, 27, was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of driving under the influence in California.

Lawson will head to Cliffside, a luxury drug and rehabilitation center in Malibu, Calif. on Saturday to start a 30-day program. The point of the program is to "ensure his sobriety," said Burd.

Upon completion of the program, Burd ordered Lawson to start home alcohol monitoring.

Tuesday's arrest was Lawson's second DUI booking in the last six months, continuing a worrying trend of driving-related offenses. Lawson pleaded guilty to DUI and underage drinking charges while attending North Carolina in 2008. He was also charged with driving under restraint and careless driving in 2012, reports Ryan Parker from the Denver Post.

Lawson reportedly remained silent throughout the brief hearing and is due back in court Aug. 20.

Lawson's character has become a focal point in the wake of his arrest. Former Nuggets guard Chauncey Billups chastised Lawson for not being a leader, while reports cited Lawson's off-court issues as a reason why the Sacramento Kings balked at making a trade offer.

However, that's not stopping a litany of teams from kicking the tires on a potential buy-low move on Lawson. Newly hired Nuggets head coach Mike Malone insists, however, he expects Lawson back for next season.

Nuggets general manager Tim Connelly said the organization is fully supporting Lawson as he deals with a significant personal issue.

"When any of our guys has an issue, we all have an issue," Connelly added to Jon Krawczynski of The Associated Press. "And we stand firmly behind him."

Lawson has about $26 million left on his contract through 2017.