D.J. Augustin and the Raptors are a perfect fit

A low-risk move for a franchise with low expectations coupled with a big shot at redemption for a hungry player makes D.J. Augustin’s move to Toronto a great deal all-round according to Al Dannity.

Buy low, sell high. If you can’t sell high, take a risk on your low buys. If you’ve little to lose, take a big one. That’s the approach Masai Uijiri and the Raptors have taken to free agency. Tyler Hansbrough was already giving an Indiana flavour to the new-look Raptors. D.J. Augustin makes it two former Pacers brought into the fold during this period of free agency.

Before he was in Indiana, Augustin was a star in Charlotte. It’s not hard to stand above the mediocrity of the Bobcats but his averages of 14.4 points and 6.1 assists in 2010/11 made the former Texas Longhorn a rising star in the NBA. That rise hit a sharp halt over the past two years. Injury derailed the point guard’s season in 2011/12, although he still set a career high in assists with 6.4 per game. Augustin endured the lowest minutes of his career last season following his move to the Pacers. George Hill won the starting job and Augustin never came close to doing enough to challenge him for it. With career lows of 4.7 points and 2.2 assists on just 16 minutes per game.

At just $1.2m for a single season, Augustin presents no risk to the Raptors at a low price. Fans would like to see a winning team on the floor but know that making significant strides this coming year will be difficult. If this ends up being another year where the Raps land in the lottery, at least they are doing so in a year where the draft is stacked. If Augustin works out then watch out, this could get fun really fast.

Augustin will play behind Kyle Lowry but don’t be surprised to see Toronto use some two-guard sets with both of them on the floor. There are sufficient differences in their games to allow the duo to complement each other. It will also present a different look than having DeMar DeRozan or Terrence Ross out there. DeRozan has developed into a quality player and Ross has promise but still looks like a player who shouldn’t be burdened with too much responsibility. In Augustin and Hansbrough, Uijiri has given the Raptors something they desperately need, depth at both ends of the floor. If Augustin doesn’t work out, the loss won’t be significant.