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2018-19 Orlando Magic Player Evaluations: D.J. Augustin

By Philip Rossman-Reich

D.J. Augustin does very little flashy and that is what a young team needs to breakthrough. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images)
D.J. Augustin does very little flashy and that is what a young team needs to breakthrough. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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D.J. Augustin, Orlando Magic
WASHINGTON, DC –  NOVEMBER 12: D.J. Augustin #14 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball against the Washington Wizards on November 12, 2018 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2019 Outlook

The point guard position for the Orlando Magic is still a bit unsettled. No one is going to pretend that D.J. Augustin is a long-term solution for the team.

He had an incredible season. His play was vital to the team’s ultimate success in 2019.

But his struggles in the playoffs revealed his and the team’s limitation. The point guard position, at large, is still some place the Magic could look to improve.

They went out at the trade deadline and tried to secure some of their future in acquiring 2017 first overall pick, Markelle Fultz. His health is still a question mark and his 2020 season might act as a second rookie season. Fultz in two years still has not played a full season in the NBA.

Augustin might sit as a placeholder then.

Related Story. 2018 Player Evaluations: D.J. Augustin. light

If the Magic end up going into next season with Augustin as the starting point guard, they will expect the same kind of stability he provided this year. He is dependable for that. But the team certainly wants to see improvement at that position. Especially defensively.

Augustin does not fit the profile for what the Magic are seemingly trying to build.

This will be an offseason that will not see the same kind of obsession about improving the point guard position. Orlando has a promising option rehabbing off their bench and the team has connections to quality backups in Isaiah Briscoe and Michael Carter-Williams. Things are not as dire as they were last offseason. Or seemingly dire.

But the team will look for ways to improve still. And Augustin could end up being one of the more intriguing trade chips the Magic have.

He has an expiring contract at $7.3 million. That will not net a huge gain in the trade market — especially considering the team’s limited cap room — but it could be enough to entice someone to give up a player on a rookie contract or another mid-level player.

Augustin has more worth than that to the Magic at the moment. So they may not be aggressively shopping him.

Orlando is comfortable with Augustin. He can man the position until another option presents itself.