D.J. Augustin

D.J. Augustin
PG, 6’0, 183lbs, 29 years old, 9 years of experience

Augustin is at his best when he is given quite a lot of the ball in his hands and told to make as many plays as he can out of the pick-and-roll, getting to the basket where he can and hoisting up a three or passing out where he can’t, or running around off of high post passers. He is also at his best with shooters around him. So with less than half of what he needs to work with last year, results were mixed to poor. With the pace slow, Augustin had some moments in the half court, but he could not play the transition game, and his own defence was a problem all year. Given that he will never be efficient inside the arc at that size, Augustin needs to shoot well from outside to thrive, yet 34.8% from three is not well enough, and nor is 35.2% on jump shots overall. He needs to up that over the next three years of his deal, or it will be a bad one.

Player Plan: Three years and $21.75 million remaining, all guaranteed, no options. Quite a lot for a back-up point guard, especially one who needs everything ‘just so’ to thrive. Keep until cheaper, then move.

Chicago - D.J. Augustin and Erik Murphy: Despite consecutive terrible seasons, Augustin has been given every opportunity to play amidst the Bulls's decimated point guard rotation, and has had enough moments in his 9.7 points and 5.7 assists averages thus far to stick for the season. Meanwhile, Murphy has hardly taken the court, but waiving him isn't financially prudent.

D.J. Augustin - Waived yesterday by the Raptors to accommodate the Rudy Gay trade package, Augustin has declined significantly over the past four seasons for no apparent reason. He is still only 26 years old - however, never an elite shooter or playmaker, and too small to be of much impact defensively, Augustin has no obvious role to fill in the NBA right now and needs to begin again. The Bulls are considered frontrunners for his services.