NBA Free Agents 2014: DJ Augustin Wants to Re-Sign With Chicago Bulls as Derrick Rose's Backup

D.J. Augustin is expected to become one of the most coveted players this summer because of the stellar season he is having with the Chicago Bulls this year, but it looks like he's leaning towards staying in Chicago to back up NBA All-Star Derrick Rose.

While Augustin is expected to draw several teams' interest in the offseason, the 26-year-old point guard told CBS Chicago on Tuesday that he wants to re-sign with the Bulls this summer despite Rose's impending return next season.

"I would love to be back here," Augustin said. "This organization, this team is great, and I think it's great for me. [Thibodeau] has given me the opportunity to play and get better. It's been great for me."

Augustin is having the best season of his career, averaging 14.5 points and 5.1 assists since signing with the Bulls in December after he was waived by the Toronto Raptors.

In 10 games with the Raptors, the former Texas standout posted just 2.1 points and 1.0 assists per game.

Augustin's stellar performance this season will likely earn him a lucrative contract this summer, but the ninth overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft insisted that he is not thinking about financial factors at this point.

"I'm not really focused on it," Augustin said. "I'm just trying to play every game. When it comes to that kind of stuff, you never know what's going to happen. It can all change anyway. I'm not really concerned."

Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah also said in a recent interview that the Bulls should re-sign Augustin this summer.

"I'm really happy he's a part of this team," Noah said of Augustin. "As soon as he came he fit in right away. He's a laid back guy, a quiet guy, but a hell of a competitor. He plays well in the big moment. We wouldn't be in this position right now if not for him."

History is not on Augustin's side, though, as the Bulls organization has been very conscious about their salary cap over the past several seasons, releasing good-performing players because they were not willing to pay them at their asking price.

Omer Asik, Kyle Korver, and Nate Robinson previously played with Chicago and had stellar seasons that increased their financial value. The Bulls expressed no interest in re-signing them due to the team's desire to stay under the luxury tax limit.