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.
What To Look For
D.J. Augustin is a veteran and so it is a bit more certain what he can provide. Except with Augustin, nothing has ever been certain.
His career has been a back-and-forth, up-and-down affair. A bad year with one team is followed by a good year with another team. Then another team believes in him and the fit does not work.
That seems to be the pattern Augustin followed last year. After a successful 28-game stint with the Nuggets, where he got significant playing time in a fairly up-tempo offense, Augustin came to the Magic and struggled. He had one of his down years where it did not work.
Orlando Magic
Some of that might be the Magic played at such a slow pace and clogged the lane so much. Then again, it seemed like Augustin fit the Magic’s pre-All-Star slower offense better. He is a cerebral point guard who does not have as much speed as he might have in his younger days, but he can still get from point A to point B.
Augustin is a point guard, but with his shooting ability might work better as a secondary ball handler in half-court sets. That might have been where he struggled most after the All-Star Break. His field goal percentage dropped to 33.3 percent and his 3-point field goal percentage dropped to 29.3 percent. Something did not click after the break when everything else did.
It might have been the way the Magic played — more up tempo and point guard centric. Augustin may not be a guy who succeeds when he is on the ball more. He needs to be a secondary piece. Or maybe Augustin cannot play at that high pace anymore. Maybe he works better in pick and rolls and half-court based offenses.
Something was just off.
It is safe to assume his shooting percentages can return to their normal levels. Augustin is a good shooter. What else he can provide and whether he can be that dynamic backup point guard the Magic invested heavily in is another question.
Augustin will have to battle for his time now.
What Could Go Wrong
Essentially the Magic’s big fear — and the bet they hedged against in signing Shelvin Mack — is for D.J. Augustin to have the same year he had last year. What the Magic got from Augustin last year was not what the Magic signed up for or hoped for from him.
Augustin was inconsistent as a shooter and did not make any plays. The Magic had one of the worst bench units in the league, so it is hard to say whether he even managed the game effectively enough.
So all the things the Magic supposedly signed him to do as the backup point guard did not pan out.
Maybe the issue was the players around him. There were no other playmakers for support — let alone quality shooters. Bismack Biyombo was fine for what he was. But Jeff Green, Mario Hezonja and C.J. Watson are not exactly inspiring confidence or creating much for others. Jodie Meeks‘ presence was about the only thing that could create space.
The Magic’s bench surely will not be so bad.
That was the point of the Magic’s whole offseason. So if D.J. Augustin is playing with better options around him, guys who can space the floor better like Arron Afflalo or Marreese Speights and maybe cover up some of his defensive mistakes like Jonathan Isaac and Bismack Biyombo, maybe that will get D.J. Augustin back on track. Maybe that will give him the space to create or enable him to work more as a spot-up shooter.
None of this seems particularly clear. The Magic saw last year what Augustin looks like when he is at his worst. That forced them to search for his potential replacement at backup point guard. A repeat of that and a further decline would make that initial investment very bad.
Back to the Fight
The Orlando Magic’s signing of Shelvin Mack to start off free agency is not a guarantee that D.J. Augustin has lost the backup point guard spot.
It is certainly a signal that new management saw a need they had to address. Mack was the first player the Magic brought in this summer in free agency. So it was a priority. Like it was when the team brought in Augustin last summer.
One of the big battles for the Magic in training camp will be that battle to play the backup point guard minutes. In all likelihood, that training camp battle will continue into the season. There will be moments when the Magic will need what Mack provides over Augustin. Just as there will be times when the Magic need what Augustin provides over Mack.
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Augustin is definitely an offensive-minded guard. And he is a much better 3-point shooter than Mack. Shooting is still a huge need and weakness for the Magic. So despite his poor season last year, it is hard to completely discard Augustin. He is a better 3-point shooter than Mack.
And while the Magic spent some money on Mack — two years, $12 million — his second year is nonguaranteed. The loss is not so great if Augustin ends up winning the battle and getting his shot. But it is likely going to be something Frank Vogel has to feel out throughout the season.
Competition is supposed to bring the best out of players, right? That is half the reason the Magic want depth. To push players in practice and get the most out of them in practice to get more out of them in games. It should also insure against injury.
Both Mack and Augustin are capable of filling the role and taking on spot starts when needed. And it is going to be the best player at the time getting the minutes.
The backup point guard is going to be an important position for the Magic all year. They are clearly looking for someone who can provide a steady hand and distribute to their reserves, putting them in the right spots to succeed.
Augustin still figures into that battle.
Overall Outlook
D.J. Augustin undoubtedly had a disappointing season last year. He did not provide the kind of offensive punch the Magic hoped for, nor did he spread the floor. And as the defense collapsed, it made Augustin’s weaknesses more pronounced.
On top of all this, there was the question of how he fits into the team as the Magic shifted their strategy. It was never completely clear for the Magic how best to use Augustin. They could not get him open for shots. And he could not be the playmaker and attacker the team needed.
It was the typical down Augustin year he has experienced his entire career, it seems.
With the Magic changing very little on the roster, it does not seem like things will get better for Augustin. Then again, the Magic changed a lot to their bench and that provides some hope.
A better bench with more shooting would mean the team uses D.J. Augustin alongside a shooter like Arron Afflalo. That could help provide the spacing he needs — or someone needs — to break through. That could play in Augustin’s favor.
It just comes down to consistency for Augustin. And having that bounce-back year he has had so often in his career. That usually comes with changing teams. Maybe changing the style or changing the bench around will be like changing teams for Augustin.
Augustin has shown plenty of ability to bounce back in his career. He can still be that productive reserve player.
But it is not guaranteed to him anymore. Not in the least after a difficult season for the Magic last year. Orlando essentially signed his replacement, putting his role in flux and limbo entering this season.
It is hard to say exactly what Augustin is going to give the Magic this year. It is hard to say whether he will have that consistent role.
The only thing that seems clear is Augustin can be a solid veteran and player to add to the roster. The question is whether he will reach that height or get back to his base level play.
Next: 2018 Orlando Magic Player Outlook: Jonathon Simmons
A repeat of last year will almost certainly leave him on the bench again.