NBA Trade Deadline: D.J. Augustin Can Save Career in Denver

Having been traded by the Oklahoma City Thunder, D.J. Augustin has a chance to revitalize his career with Michael Malone and the Denver Nuggets.

Point guard is, arguably, the deeepest position on the Oklahoma City Thunder’s roster. All-NBA superstar Russell Westbrook has the starting role locked up, and first-round draft pick Cameron Payne has earned his place as the backup.

The odd man out in Oklahoma City has been the once resurgent and now dormant D.J. Augustin.

Many speculated that Augustin would receive a shot at redemption via a trade. On the day of the NBA Trade Deadline, that opportunity has presented itself, as Oklahoma City has sent Augustin to a team that can better utilize his talents and offer him a chance to earn a respectable new contract this coming summer.

According to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical, the Nuggets have acquired Augustin, Steve Novak, and two second-round draft picks from the Thunder in exchange for shooting guard Randy Foye.

This may seem like a minor deal, but Augustin could potentially revitalize his career in Denver.

The Nuggets have their point guard of the future in Emmanuel Mudiay, who was selected at No. 7 overall in the 2015 NBA Draft. Mudiay’s struggled with his jump shot, and has a painful tendency to commit turnovers, but his upside is genuine and immense.

That much was proven over All-Star Weekend, when he went off for 30 points, including a surprising five 3-point field goals, during the Rising Stars Challenge.

Beyond Mudiay—and, to some extent, including him—Denver’s immediate impact at the point guard position is underwhelming. Jameer Nelson is still a quality player, but his role appears to be that of a mentor, more so than that of a key on-court contributor.

In other words, the opportunity exists for Augustin to break through and secure a significant role under Malone.

Denver, at 22-32, is closer to the postseason than that record would suggest. It’s only 5.0 games back of the No. 8 seed in a Western Conference that’s been significantly more inconsistent than it had been in any recent season.

Foye wasn’t exactly a critical member of the rotation, thus suggesting this trade was of minimal significance, but Malone is likely aware of what Augustin is capable of when properly utilized.

Augustin’s resurgence began in 2013-14, when he played 61 games for the Chicago Bulls. With Derrick Rose generally unavailable due to a consistent stream of injuries, Augustin posted averages of 14.9 points and 5.0 assists in 30.4 minutes of action per game.

After opening the season at 8-12, Chicago went 39-22 in the 61 games that Augustin played.

The following season, Augustin continued to make a name for himself as a key member of the Detroit Pistons. Detroit, like Chicago, started slow, but got hot quickly behind the efforts of Augustin and starting point guard Brandon Jennings.

For the season, he averaged 10.6 points and 4.9 assists in 23.8 minutes while wearing a Pistons jersey.

With Jennings ultimately going down with a season-ending achilles injury, Augustin made 14 starts for the Pistons. During those 14 outings, he posted averages of 18.6 points and 7.6 assists on an efficient slash line of .447/.403/.943.

Just as Augustin seemed to be coming into his own, he was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

There are only brief flashes of Augustin’s potential value in the NBA, but they’re significant enough to gamble on. He’s on an expiring contract, and thus, it would behoove Denver to give him a high volume of touches while he’s a member of the roster.

The worst case scenario for the Nuggets is that Augustin doesn’t work out and he walks in free agency this coming summer.

As for Augustin, this presents him with an opportunity to work under a head coach who’s known for breeding successful point guards. Malone made his name as an assistant for the Golden State Warriors before taking over the head coaching job with the Sacramento Kings, by whom he was premature fired.

Malone, in his first season with the Nuggets, has the team on pace for 33 wins—a number that would be three wins higher than the mark from 2014-15.

Including his time as an assistant, the list of primary ball-handlers whom Malone has coached includes superstar talents in Stephen Curry, LeBron James, and Chris Paul, and respected role players in Darren Collison and Jarrett Jack.

More hoops habit: Did the Denver Nuggets deal an untouchable player at the 2016 NBA Trade Deadline?

If Malone can help Augustin achieve the stability of the latter two players, Augustin’s career will be extended and a healthy new contract will be on its way this coming summer.