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New York Knicks: 5 Options To Back Up Derrick Rose

By Kenneth Teape

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
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 /
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New York Knicks: 5 Options To Backup Derrick Rose
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 /

D.J. Augustin

Augustin is well traveled, playing with seven different teams with varying success. Augustin had arguably his best season in 2013-14 with the Chicago Bulls, when he was coincidentally backing up Rose, which he would be doing again this upcoming season.

In 61 games with the Bulls, Augustin averaged 14.9 points and 5.0 assists per game. That landed him a two-year contract with the Detroit Pistons, who would trade him to the Oklahoma City Thunder at the trade deadline. Augustin was never able to truly get his footing with the Thunder, and his performance worsened to start the 2015-16 season.

But, once he was traded to the Denver Nuggets, Augustin finished the season strong. He pushed fellow veteran Jameer Nelson to the end of the bench and began taking minutes away from the Nuggets prized rookie, Emmanuel Mudiay. He is now hitting the market with some momentum as an unrestricted free agent.

Augustin has never earned more than $3.5 million in a season, so he should be an affordable option this summer. With experience as a starter, he would be a perfect backup for the injury prone Rose, as it is unlikely he is able to start all 82 games.

Next: Steady Veteran

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