Orlando Magic Daily
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Orlando Magic Daily Mailbag Volume 31: Waiting on the team to change

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - FEBRUARY 6: D.J. Augustin #14 of the Orlando Magic brings the ball up court during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Amway Center on February 6, 2018 in Orlando, Florida. The Magic defeated the Cavaliers 116 to 98. 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 Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - FEBRUARY 6: D.J. Augustin #14 of the Orlando Magic brings the ball up court during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Amway Center on February 6, 2018 in Orlando, Florida. The Magic defeated the Cavaliers 116 to 98. 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 Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JANUARY 30: D.J. Augustin #14 of the Orlando Magic handles the ball during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on January 30, 2017 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 Jordan Johnson/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JANUARY 30: D.J. Augustin #14 of the Orlando Magic handles the ball during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on January 30, 2017 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 Jordan Johnson/NBAE via Getty Images) /

This is going to be a question that I think will linger throughout the season. A lot of it is dependent on what Jerian Grant does, honestly. He is the bigger wild card.

I think the Orlando Magic felt comfortable going into the season with D.J. Augustin as the starting point guard because he is just fairly consistent. They know exactly what they will get from him and he can keep the ship steady for the young players likely to surround him in the lineup.

Augustin aveaged 10.2 points per game and shot a 55.7 percent effective field goal percentage. He is not flashy in any way — and maybe not the greatest defender — and I think the Magic find value in that. With the team’s lack of shooting, his shooting remains extremely valuable to this team.

Having said that, Jerian Grant’s numbers are somewhat comparable. Grant scored 8.4 points per game last year but was a much less efficient shooter. Although perhaps a better passer.

This should be an interesting battle throughout the season. Even with Grant hitting free agency this summer, I think he fits more the direction the Magic want to go. So he will get his chance to beat out Augustin throughout the year.

But it will come because of his play. He will have to earn it. Augustin has the team’s trust.

I suspect Augustin will start the year as the point guard. Again, the team values that consistency. But it would not surprise me if Grant starts for a stretch in the season when he is playing well or if he overtakes that role at some point.

I am honestly still getting a grasp of Grant’s game. I think he has a lot of really interesting parts but noone of it has put together consistently. maybe the magic will have a system that will help him succeed and unlock that part of his game. It is still very unclear.