Ex-NBA guard Ty Lawson banned from Chinese team for ‘inappropriate comments’

Former NBA player Ty Lawson has been banned from the Chinese Basketball Association after allegedly making derogatory and offensive Instagram posts regarding Chinese women, according to multiple reports.

The Fujian Sturgeons — the Chinese team Lawson has played for since 2019 — said the 32-year-old Lawson will no longer be on the team, severing ties with the guard because of “inappropriate comments” he allegedly posted on social media, according to ESPN.

The Sturgeons said in a statement that Lawson — who played in the NBA for eight seasons from 2009-2017 — posted the inappropriate comments on Sept. 18, calling it a violation of the team’s “social responsibilities and core values” policy.

“His inappropriate words are inconsistent with the social responsibilities and values abided by our club and have brought serious adverse social impacts to the club and the league. We will not sign him for the new season,” the Sturgeons said in a statement, according to Chinese state news agency Xinhua.

The team did not say more about the incident, just that Lawson wouldn’t be signed to a new deal.

Lawson — who hasn’t commented on his departure — led Fujian to the playoffs last season and has been in China since the end of the season.

NBA sources told Sports Illustrated that alcohol may have been a factor in the alleged posts. Lawson has been arrested four time for driving while intoxicated, the last taking place in 2015, according to SI.com.

Lawson was a first-round pick in 2009 NBA Draft, selected 18th by the Minnesota Timberwolves before being traded to the Denver Nuggets.

Lawson averaged 12.7 points and six assists per game in NBA career, which included stops with the Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers and Sacramento Kings. He also was a star at North Carolina and was named ACC Player of the Year in 2009 as a junior.