Denver Collected Two Guards, Two Picks and Cash for Randy Foye
On February 18, 2016, Denver traded veteran guard Randy Foye to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Nuggets obtained D.J. Augustin, forward Steve Novak, two 2016 second-round draft selections and cash. One pick was protected through Nos. 56-60 and eventually identified as No. 53 Petr Cornelie; the other became No. 56 Daniel Hamilton. Oklahoma City wanted a guard who could fit around Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant during a Western Conference title push, while Denver chose both immediate backup playmaking and multiple development opportunities. This was a substantially larger return than a simple Foye-for-Augustin swap. Both draft selections and the cash were genuine parts of the historical agreement, and the protective condition on one pick should remain distinct from the separate unprotected selection.
Augustin Supplied Needed Bench Playmaking
Augustin joined a younger Nuggets backcourt and had more opportunity to handle the ball than he did behind Westbrook in Oklahoma City. In 28 Denver games after the swap, he provided double-digit scoring and several assists per appearance while working in a mostly reserve role. His quickness and shooting helped a team still developing Emmanuel Mudiay and other guards. Novak was another experienced offensive reserve, although his larger contribution to the transaction was the ability to adjust the roster rather than high-volume minutes as a new Nuggets starter. The two second-round picks widened Denver’s future draft options even though both prospects followed their own developmental paths. The Nuggets A+ inherited grade evaluates this broad combination of resources; Augustin alone was not a long-term Denver franchise centerpiece, and his later Orlando seasons belong elsewhere.
Foye Had a Short Thunder Scoring Role
Foye appeared in 27 Oklahoma City regular-season games after the trade, averaging roughly six points and providing perimeter depth in a rotation dominated by Westbrook, Durant and other established contributors. He was a supporting guard, not the player whose scoring carried the club into the Western Conference Finals. His professional experience and shooting made sense for a team trying to strengthen the bench without changing its core, but he did not produce a long multi-year Thunder tenure. Oklahoma City’s B grade therefore reflects an immediate veteran playoff option, while Denver’s A+ rewards Augustin, Novak, cash and two future second-round selections. The breadth of Denver’s return is the clearest difference in the original trade even if neither incoming prospect ultimately became an NBA All-Star for the Nuggets.
Final Verdict
Nuggets Win. Denver receives A+ for D.J. Augustin, Steve Novak, cash and two 2016 second-round picks tied to No. 53 Petr Cornelie and No. 56 Daniel Hamilton. Oklahoma City earns B for Randy Foye, who played 27 late-season games as a supporting guard during the Thunder’s 2016 playoff run.