New York Knicks might be watching Charlotte Bobcats point guard D.J. Augustin very closely

Any point guard who plays for Larry Brown will ultimately clash with the head coach (See: Stephon Marbury). But those who understand there is a method to Brown's madness can accomplish great things (See: Allen Iverson).

Charlotte's D.J. Augustin is currently struggling with Brown's Play The Right Way edict, which could be a good thing for the Knicks. Augustin remains a player of interest for the Knicks, who, according to a team source, had extensive talks last season with the Bobcats regarding a deal for the second-year guard out of Texas.

"He was part of a bigger deal," the source said. "But I know the Knicks like him very much."

Knicks president Donnie Walsh declined to discuss his level of interest in Augustin, although it is no secret that Walsh and Brown, friends for many years, talk regularly. According to a source, Brown is open to trading Augustin but has been overruled by Michael Jordan.

"He hasn't defended like he needs to defend," Brown said recently. "He hasn't made shots. He hasn't distributed the ball."

Brown was saying some of those same things four years ago about Nate Robinson, who is now buried on Mike D'Antoni's bench. A Robinson-for-Augustin deal is unlikely because the salaries don't match and because Robinson would have to agree to the deal.

Either way, Robinson's days in New York are numbered. He and Chris Duhon will become free agents on July 1 and Robinson certainly won't be re-signed. The Knicks will eventually be in the market for a point guard and Augustin, despite being undersized, is on their radar.

The Knicks, who have won four straight and are in Charlotte Tuesday, have had trouble containing Augustin. He's averaging 15.2 points in five games against the Knicks, including 15 two months ago when the Bobcats beat the Knicks in overtime.

BEND INTO SHAPE: Jonathan Bender went through his second full practice yesterday and D'Antoni wouldn't rule out making Bender, who hasn't appeared in an NBA game in three years, active against Charlotte.

"We'll see," D'Antoni said. "I wouldn't mind, not knowing how the game is going, getting him time as soon as I can in a non-stressful time like garbage time."

I thought we might take him in the draft. There was talk of him being familiar with the MDA's system, and except for his size, he seemed to be a decent fit for us. My feeling at the time of the draft was that if we had made the Memphis deal to pick up their 5th, we might have chosen Gallo and Augustin with our two picks.

I saw little playmaking ability from him last year, though, and obviously he has not thrived under Brown.

I wouldn't give up too much for him, but would not mind taking a look at him if we can get him on the cheap.

Rookie wrote:Wonder if we could pry Diaw from them as well. He's not having his best year with them and would be another piece for MDA. Mobley's contract is still sitting on the shelf collecting dust...Mobley/Chandler for D.J./Diaw. We could sweeten it with a second rd pick.

I live Augustin but I don't know if I want Diaw. He has 3 years left in his contract(including this year) and has a substantial contract.

I would send Jordan Hill for Augustin and an unprotected 1st rd pick. The bad thing is they already traded their 1st rd pick for this upcoming draft. Does that mean they can't trade their 1st rounder the following year?

I can't imagine a situation where Larry would take Nate unless he becomes a halftime dunk show and can juggle while playing an musical instriment. Nate is an expiring and he can reject any deal.

fishmike wrote:only way you take Diaw is if they take JJ or Curry, and we KNOW they arent taking Curry.

The only guy we could trade straight up for DJ would be Hill, and that might be a possibility. Douglas+Chandler works but no thanks unless we get a first rounder back.

Funny.. he was a very good defender at Texas. At 5'11 he's not going to lock guys down but you can still defend. Wonder what his problem is.

I think you could still sign 1 max FA. As far as signing a 2nd FA, we probably won't be able to sign Bosh, Johnson or Amare anyway, so you pretty much have a good team in tact to attract the max guy aka Lebron. I think Diaw would be a solid move

nyk4ever wrote:I think Augustin would be a great pickup for the Knicks. I think he'd be a shoe-in type fit as PG for MikeD. He can run the floor, he can shoot the ball, he's a good passer. I know LB is having some trouble with him, but that doesn't necessarily mean all that much. I hope we can find a way to get him.

I agree. I think he's better than his numbers.

martin wrote:

Rookie wrote:

Uptown wrote:

Rookie wrote:

fishmike wrote:only way you take Diaw is if they take JJ or Curry, and we KNOW they arent taking Curry.

The only guy we could trade straight up for DJ would be Hill, and that might be a possibility. Douglas+Chandler works but no thanks unless we get a first rounder back.

Funny.. he was a very good defender at Texas. At 5'11 he's not going to lock guys down but you can still defend. Wonder what his problem is.

I think you could still sign 1 max FA. As far as signing a 2nd FA, we probably won't be able to sign Bosh, Johnson or Amare anyway, so you pretty much have a good team in tact to attract the max guy aka Lebron. I think Diaw would be a solid move

The idea is to remove salary, not add on. No way am I adding Diaw who has I believe three years left on his deal. That makes no sense.

If you are talking about Jeffries and Curry, I don't think this deal would preclude us from trading either of them. It does however address two needs - a PG and an MDA favorite forward who is a prototypical fit in his system. Also, considering Diaw came to the Suns as part of a trade that sent Johnson to Atlanta, I think you could say that MDA prefers Diaw over Johnson and also Johnson might even have some bad feelings towards MDA. Also, Johnson will likely be looking for more in the FA market then the 9M that Diaw is getting. In sghort, I think you can cross Johnson off the list of 2010 FA's likely to come to NY. Bosh might be another story altogther and he could fill the center role in 2010, but we still have to move JJ/Curry to have enough cap space to sign him. Unlikely, but still possible even if we trade for Diaw. In short, Diaw makes us a better team right now and next year which can only make us more attractive to FA's like Lebron who wants to win and not re-build. Anyways if you want to spin it, and we do somehow move JJ and Curry and sign Lebron and Bosh, a team of Lebron, Bosh, Diaw, DJ, Gallo, Douglass, and possibly Harrington and a second rounder or two could be pretty decent.

Joe Johnson was mad at PHO management, no MDA. Contract thing.

Ok thanks, but Diaw is still likely a better fit and his contract at 9M is alot more reasonable than the $$ Johnson will be looking for which helps us in 2011 and 2012

Knixkik wrote:Diaws solid but if you're going after lebron/bosh/amare he doesn't make much sense. You only add salary at this point for a significant contributer at a need position like PG or C. Someone like Ellis would be worth adding as long as you still have enough space preserved for a max FA.

I think Ellis, Diaw, Lebron, Bosh, Amare are all legitimate options, but we can't sign all of them. Hopefully the right combination of 2-3 of those guys can come together but a trade taking on salary will have to happen this year or in the summer. I wouldn't be against trading for an Ellis or Diaw.