Should D.J. Augustin Be on the L.A. Lakers' Radar?

Los Angeles Lakers point guard Ramon Sessions may not have played himself out of his starting position during the 2012 NBA Playoffs, but he certainly opened the flood-gates of speculation with a horrible performance against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Granted, it was Sessions' first taste of the postseason, and as some people point out Sessions was matched against Russell Westbrook, one of the best young lead guards in the NBA.

However, last time I checked the Western Conference is filled with good young point guards and a few great older ones as well, which means if Sessions is rewarded with another season in Los Angeles he can expect that type of competition on a nightly basis.

The Lakers may decide to keep Sessions and try to improve another area of their roster, or based off Sessions's dismal postseason play they may try to significantly upgrade his position.

What the Lakers shouldn't do is pursue Charlotte Bobcats point guard D.J. Augustin, as some fans have suggested, under any circumstances since it's hard to even view the diminutive guard as an upgrade over Sessions. 

Augustin is listed at 6'0 but he looks more like he's 5'9, and he plays closer to 5'7.

Don't get me wrong. Augustin was as effective as he could be during the 48 games he played for the worst team in NBA history, but how would his 11 points and six assists per game translate in the guard-heavy west?

Forget the west. Augustin would arguably lose every individual point guard matchup in the Pacific division considering his nightly competition would be Steve Nash, Stephen Curry, Tyreke Evans, Ray Felton and arena mate Chris Paul.

Not many scrubs there.

I was born and raised in Charlotte and still reside there so you can believe me when I say I've had the privilege of viewing Augustin on many occasions. It's harder to get into some area high school gyms than it is at Time-Warner arena.

I think Augustin is a decent talent, and his quickness and court vision makes him an above average distributor once he penetrates the defense.

Augustin is a better outside shooter than Sessions, and he is more confident when attacking the rim, but it's Augustine's defense that scares me.

Westbrook's dominance over the Lakers' guards played a major role in the team's defeat and Augustine is probably just as bad as Sessions.

And Augustin is smaller and not as strong as Sessions.

I'm all for improving the Lakers roster as a whole and if it begins with Sessions then so be it. I'm just not sure Augustin is a real improvement in that category.