2017-18 Orlando Magic Player Evaluations: D.J. Augustin

2 of 5

D.J. Augustin, Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers

LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 7: D.J. Augustin #14 of the Orlando Magic fakes a shot during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at STAPLES Center on March 7, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Good and the Bad

Per Game Table
G	GS	MP	FG%	3P%	eFG%	FT%	TRB	AST	STL	TOV	PTS
75	36	23.5	.452	.419	.557	.868	2.1	3.8	0.7	1.6	10.2

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 5/1/2018.

One of the most important things for a NBA player is to understand who he is. By the time they become veterans, a player has to understand what he is best at and look to stay within that role. Even when they get more opportunity or the chance to start, they do a good job staying within themselves for the bigger picture.

That is the best way to describe Augustin throughout the year. Whether he was starting or coming off the bench, he was providing the same consistency. The more minutes he played, the more he produced. But the team could rely on him to do the same things no matter the role.

Augustin was the team’s best 3-point shooter by far. He hit on 41.9 percent of his 3-pointers, up from 34.0 percent last year in his first year in Orlando. That was valuable for a team that was better from beyond the arc, but still largely struggled from beyond the arc.

He really worked well too because of his low usage rate. Augustin had an 18.6 percent usage rate. He worked better as a secondary player within the offense. He brought the ball up and got everyone in their sets, but he was effective moving off the ball too, letting Jonathon Simmons, Evan Fournier or Aaron Gordon take the ball and drive.

But if the team needed Augustin to drive into the lane and create for his team, he could do that too. Maybe not at an elite level — and certainly not at the level Payton could at various points — but good enough.

Augustin’s defense still left a lot to be lacking. He does not have the size or lateral quickness to be a full-time starter. That was always a knock on him. And it is not going away any time soon. He had a -2.5 defensive box plus-minus this year and the Magic had a respectable (for them) 105.5 defensive rating with him on the floor.

Augustin was probably still better defensively than Payton throughout the season, but no one is confusing him for a good defender.

Just like no one would confuse him for being the Magic’s best option at point guard long term.

But Augustin proved he can be a solid reserve yet again. A valuable player who brought consistency to the game.