NBA Draft 2008: D.J. Augustin

Teams looking for an un-selfish athletic point guard who can score and play defense can look no further than Texas Guard D.J. Augustin.

A born leader, the New Orleans native led his Texas team with an average of almost 20 points and 6 assists a game in a season which saw the Longhorns reach the Elite 8. During the season, Augustin showed flashes of being the number one guard in the nation along with Derrick Rose of Memphis.

Augustin, who models his game after Steve Nash, is a quick, elusive, pass-first Point Guard that can contribute to a NBA team right away. He has an uncanny ability to find the open man and when the time calls for him to take the shot, he makes it 9 out of 10 times.

The knock on Augustin is his size. Listed at a generous 6 ft and 180 lbs, the worry is how much his body can take in a physical 82 game NBA season. If he has to defend the pick and roll game in and game out, durability may be an issue.

Augustin is projected to be a lottery pick and it would make sense for the Milwaukee Bucks to choose him with their 8th pick and add some spice to their lineup. If they choose that route, it would open up a trade with Mo Williams and the Bucks could look at getting a late 1st round pick in exchange. With Augustin handling the point, Michael Redd would be able to open up and become a superstar again.

Milwaukee has not worked out Augustin and may choose to go with project Anthony Randolph or Guard Eric Gordon if available. If that were to happen, Augustin likely would slip to the Indiana Pacers at pick 11 or Sacramento at pick 12 at worst.

D.J. Augustin may be the best pure Point Guard in this year's draft. While Rose has the physicality and ability to score, Augustin provides steady leadership, tremendous quickness and passing ability, and will be a star wherever he goes.

Source:

Texas Sports, "TexasSports.com."