2018 Orlando Magic Player Outlook: D.J. Augustin

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D.J. Augustin, Orlando Magic, Garrett Temple, Sacramento Kings

ORLANDO, FL – NOVEMBER 03: D.J. Augustin #14 of the Orlando Magic drives against Garrett Temple #17 of the Sacramento Kings during the game at Amway Center on November 3, 2016 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /

D.J. Augustin was a priority at backup point guard in last year’s free agency. He did not perform at a high level and finds his role in flux again in 2018.

It was in the early morning hours of July 1, 2016, the news came down of the Orlando Magic’s first big free agent signing of a massive free agent period. The Magic, like every other team, was walking into a massive cap spike and made their own free agency room to help remake the roster.

D.J. Augustin was the first player to walk into that void. In this new world, his four-year, $29-million contract (roughly $7.3 million per year), was what a backup point guard was going to make. And it seemed to be a good idea at the time.

Elfrid Payton was firmly entrenched as the starter and needed a reliable backup after the Magic used Willie Green, Luke Ridnour, C.J. Watson and Brandon Jennings to backup Payton. Augustin seemed like a much more stable and reliable option.

It was not that Augustin was not solid. His numbers seemed like they were still in line with his career averages and what he had done in previous years.

In 2016, Augustin averaged 7.5 points per game, finding his fit more with the Denver Nuggets after a trade from the Oklahoma City Thunder. His first year in Orlando, Augustin averaged 7.9 points per game. His shooting efficiency might have taken a bit of a drop — 52.0 percent to 46.9 percent — but he was scoring about the same.

Perhaps that efficiency drop was a sign of what was really working behind the scenes. The scoring numbers might have been flat, but it was clear Augustin did not fit.

Augustin could score, but he struggled to hit 3-pointers to help spread the floor. He could manage the game, but could not create offense effectively for others to give the Magic lineup some balance. And his defense? That was not good at all.

As Orlando struggled, Augustin’s weaknesses became a bit more apparent. And the fit with this current Magic squad seemed off. The Magic clearly thought so too this summer. Their first free agent signing was again a backup point guard.