Augustin Already Wants to Resign With Denver
Mar 8, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets guard D.J. Augustin (12) talks with referee Michael Smith (38) in the fourth quarter of the game against the New York Knicks at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets defeated the Knicks 110-94. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
On February 18th the Denver Nuggets made a deal at the trade deadline and got two players from the Oklahoma City Thunder. One of those players was point guard DJ Augustin.
The eight-year pro, who has now been with the Nuggets for a little less than a month, said to the Denver Post he would “love to be [continue being] here” in Denver. The Nuggets would love to keep the 28-year-old point guard too right?
In his last 10 games, Augustin has averaged 12.5 points and 3.8 assists in 23.1 minutes (ESPN). He has filled in great for point guard Jameer Nelson, who has been battling a wrist sprain, and helped the adjusting of rookie point guard Emmanuel Mudiay.
Even more recently, as Denver saw forward Danilo Gallinari also go down with an injury, the Nuggets have still won three of their last five. Granted two of their games included the struggling Knicks and Lakers, but no one can argue the impact Augustin had in those games.
He scored 26 points, had 5 assists and went a perfect 9-9 from the free throw line against Los Angeles in the March 2nd victory.
Still, will the Denver Nuggets want to--and be able to keep the point guard past the season?
As mentioned, Augustin is seeing the court in part due to the veteran Nelson’s injury, but is outplaying what Nelson had been showing.
The 12-year pro had been averaging more minutes than Augustin with 27.1, but had almost five points less with 7.9.
Augustin is doing this at a much cheaper rate.
His expiring contract of $3 million is $10.5 million cheaper than his counterpart. Nelson signed a new three-year, $13.5 million contract this last offseason with the team.
As Nelson heals and possibly undergoes surgery on his wrist, the question comes will Denver keep Augustin in town as a replacement for the aging star?
If Denver elects to cut Nelson, the team would have to pay the entire three-year deal in dead money. The total expense of the rest of the veteran’s deal plus what it could cost to resign Augustin could make the decision tough for the Nuggets’ front office.
Denver likely has their hands tied and will likely let Augustin walk at the end of the season, unless they feel Nelson may not be the same with his wrist going forward.
“It means a lot to me,” Augustin said about getting to come to Denver and getting to get on the court, but the real question is will he get to stay?