The Bobcats are looking for a veteran big man to help the team and they are dangling 2nd year point guard D.J. Augustin as trade bait. Augustin is having a terrible year for the Bobcats as he has played in 46 games (0 starts) in which he is averaging 17.8 minutes, 5.6 points, 1.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game on 35.8% shooting from the floor. But, teams might look past his horrible stats this season because of how well he played as a rookie last year. In his rookie season, Augustin played in 72 games (11 starts) for the Bobcats and he averaged 26.5 minutes, 11.8 points, 1.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game. He also shot 43.9% from three point range last season which is outstanding. Trading Augustin does carry a risk as he can make the Bobcats sorry they traded him down the road.

Back-up SG/SF Stephen Graham has been so-so this season for the Bobcats. He has played in 40 games (4 starts) for the Bobcats this season and he is averaging 10.6 minutes, 3.5 points, 1.7 rebounds and 0.4 assists per game. It’s doubtful that Graham would step up if the Bobcats needed him to play more minutes so he will have to settle for about 10 a game.

The Charlotte Bobcats were very excited when they acquired Boris Diaw in a trade from the Phoenix Suns last season, and he did not disappoint.  In 59 games with the Bobcats last season Diaw averaged 37.6 minutes, 15.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.7 blocks on 50% shooting and 42% from three.  Diaw has been inconsistent this season and his stats have had a big drop-off compared to last season despite getting nearly the same amount of playing time.  In 35.1 minutes per game, he is averaging only 10.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.6 blocks on 46% shooting and 33% from three.  Diaw really needs to step it up if the Bobcats want to have success in the second half of the season.  At 22-22, the Bobcats are currently the 7th seed in the Eastern Conference, but if they want any chance of making it out of the first round they are going to need to get themselves up at least a spot or two come playoff time.  Diaw could be the difference-maker for them, he just needs to start playing like he did last season.

In his rookie year last season it looked as if D.J. Augustin was ready to push Raymond Felton to a new city in 2009-2010. The Bobcats were smart to bring Felton back because Augustin has been heaving enough bricks towards the rim to build a house. Augustin has played in 28 games (0 starts) for the Bobcats this season and he has averaged 18.2 minutes, 5.6 points, 1.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game. Augustin is only shooting 34.3% from the floor this year and that is why his minutes are way down this year for the Bobcats. They simply can’t afford to play him much until he starts taking better shots and making some of them.

Back-up shooting guard Flip Murray looks like he’s trying to build a house with all of the bricks that he has been heaving up towards the rim this season. Murray is only shooting 33.7% from the floor, 23.6% from the three point line and 62.3% from the free throw line this year. Murray has played in 21 games (1 start) for the Bobcats this season and he is averaging 19.7 minutes, 8.1 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. Murray won’t be getting any more minutes than he is getting right now until his shooting improves because his offense is the only thing he has to offer a basketball team.