D.J. Augustin works out for Clippers

D.J. Augustin, an early-entry candidate from Texas, was the highlight of a group that included Nevada's JaVale McGee, Utah State's Jaycee Carroll, Kentucky's Joe Crawford, France's Alexis Ajinca and Iowa State's Mike Taylor.

Among the prospects, Augustin and McGee are considered first-round locks.

Augustin is regarded as the draft's top pure point guard among a class top-heavy with combination guards. Still, his slight frame -- he is listed generously at 6 feet and 180 pounds -- might make teams cautious of selecting him.

"I think he's really quick," Clippers Coach Mike Dunleavy said after the workout. "He shoots the ball with a high IQ, so I think he's going to be a really good NBA player.

"It's all about quickness, right? Quickness negates size and he's got shooting ability. He's got an array of runners. He's got a lot of different tools."

Augustin might be taken as early as sixth by the New York Knicks -- the Knicks plan to have him work out Friday -- or the Texas guard could fall into the teens.

"It's going to be tough, but I'll just try to learn from the veteran point guards, and I have people who play in the league that I know very well that I try to learn as much as possible from," Augustin said of making the transition from college to the NBA.

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The Clippers -- like many teams -- have pinpointed Toronto Raptors point guard Jose Calderon as an attractive target this off-season.

Calderon is a restricted free agent but is also sharing point guard duties in Toronto with T.J. Ford. The Raptors can match any offer made to Calderon and have stated publicly that they intend to do so.

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The Clippers are far apart in their negotiations with free agent Quinton Ross, lessening the odds that the guard will resign with the team. Ross recently parted ways with agent Henry Thomas, who also represents Shaun Livingston.

jonathan.abrams@latimes.com