Denver Nuggets final report card: D.J. Augustin

 

Over the next few weeks, the BSN Nuggets staff will review the Nuggets season, player-by-player. We’ll look at their performance from 2015-16 and forecast what type of impact they’ll make next season.

Reflecting on 2015-16

D.J. Augustin arrived in Denver at this year’s trade deadline and immediately started to produce.

The 28-year-old had 28 points on just 14 shots in 36 minutes in the Nuggets Feb. 26 loss to the Mavericks and followed that up two games later with 26 points and 5 assists in a 117-107 win over the Lakers.

“D.J.’s our security blanket,” said coach Michael Malone. “He’s won games for us. Put the ball into his hands in the fourth quarter and he steps up, makes shots, hits free throws and always makes the right play.”

It wasn’t long before Augustin was getting heavy minutes in fourth quarters and even closing games alongside Emmanuel Mudiay. Malone found something with the Augustin and Mudiay backcourt pairing and stuck with it late in games, as the two finished the season with a 118.9 OffRtg and 12.5 NetRtg when they were on the court together.

Where Augustine struggled this season, and where he has struggled throughout his career was on the defensive end. The Nuggets were just one point per 100 possessions better on defense with Augustin off the floor, and pairing him with Mudiay or Harris in the backcourt and Nurkic protecting the rim with the second unit helped.

Final report card grade: B

Looking ahead to 2016-17

Augustin is set to be an unrestricted free agent this summer and after his successful stint in Denver, he should be in line for some enticing offers.

He might not bring the defensive awareness and playmaking ability to be the backup on a high-end championship or playoff team, but he can fill a role like he did on the Nuggets as a reserve guard.

Any team, like the Nuggets looking for an offensively minded, backup point guard who can stretch the defense, will make a call to Augustin.

Augustin received praise from Malone on various occasions this past season and stated he would like to remain in Denver, and if the Nuggets are set on keeping him they have the money to do so.

Yet with the rising salary cap this summer, Augustin’s could be in line for the largest payday of his career.