Nuggets general manager Tim Connelly: Ty Lawson 'needs to grow up'

Ty Lawson has been issued a stern warning. 

Lawson, the Denver Nuggets' leading scorer, missed a team practice earlier in the week and was disciplined by being benched for Friday's loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. This follows previous off-the-court issues, such as his arrest for suspicion of DUI, and it appears one too many incidents have ticked off upper management. 

Nuggets general manager Tim Connelly didn't hold back in a recent interview when asked about Lawson's missed practice and his maturity. 

"He needs to grow up, no two ways about it," Connelly told The Denver Post.

Connelly explained that the organization - top to bottom - has been supportive of the point guard and bent over backwards to ensure his professional growth. He said the organization has entrusted Lawson with the keys to the car, which makes his behavior all the more problematic. 

"There is a degree of professionalism we expect and when you are the best player, the bar is even higher," he said. 

Connelly ended by adding that Lawson - and all members of the Nuggets, for that matter - have to start acting more professional or the team is going to take a long, hard look at the roster. 

It sounds like a threat to Lawson, who's set to earn more than $25 million over the next two seasons. 

Lawson is a good player, the best on the Nuggets. But his issues combined with the team's current state could perhaps make Connelly motivated to move him - and he was reportedly on the trading block leading up to the deadline. 

The sixth-year guard is averaging 16.9 points and a career-high 10.1 assists per game. His 19.5 player efficiency rating is also the top mark of his career.