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New York Knicks: Players Phil Jackson Needs to Trade For

By Maxwell Ogden

Dec 16, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks general manager Phil Jackson looks on during a stop in play against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 16, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks general manager Phil Jackson looks on during a stop in play against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 23, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard D.J. Augustin (14) dribbles the ball along the baseline in front of Utah Jazz guard Trey Burke (3) during the first half at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 23, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard D.J. Augustin (14) dribbles the ball along the baseline in front of Utah Jazz guard Trey Burke (3) during the first half at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /

D.J. Augustin, Oklahoma City Thunder

Position: Point Guard

Age: 28

2015-16 Salary: $3,000,000

Contract Expires: 2016

Slash Line: .380/.393/.765

Season Averages: 15.3 MPG, 4.2 PPG, 1.9 APG, 1.3 RPG, 0.7 3PM

Lost in the depth of Billy Donovan‘s rotation has been 28-year-old point guard D.J. Augustin. With Russell Westbrook playing 34.3 minutes per game, and Cameron Payne being groomed as his backup, Augustin has become a virtual non-factor on the Oklahoma City Thunder’s roster.

With the asking price likely to be something the New York Knicks can easily afford, it’d behoove Phil Jackson to make the call for Augustin.

In 54 games with the Detroit Pistons in 2014-15, Augustin averaged 10.6 points and 4.9 assists in just 23.8 minutes of action. He averaged 14.9 points and 5.0 assists in 30.4 minutes during 61 appearances with the Chicago Bulls in 2013-14.

The key to both of those seasons: Augustin played an instrumental role in both teams rebounding from poor starts to become postseason contenders.

Chicago made the playoffs with Augustin playing upwards of 30 minutes per game, and Detroit stayed the course of rebounding from a slow start after Brandon Jennings‘ season-ending injury. There’s no guaranteeing that Augustin has more of that left in the tank, but it stands to reason that he does at just 28 years old.

If the Knicks are looking for a low-cost move that would create an immediate improvement at the point guard position, Augustin is the perfect player to pursue.

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