Orlando Magic Top 30: The Most Under-Appreciated Player in Orlando Magic History
20. D.J. Augustin (2017-Present)
D.J. Augustin cemented himself in Orlando Magic history in one indelible moment.
He stared down Kyle Lowry and got a pick from Nikola Vucevic, the team’s All-Star center. Augustin came across it and caught the soon-to-be defending champion Toronto Raptors in a moment of indecision.
Kyle Lowry could not get around the Nikola Vucevic screen but Marc Gasol was slow to react, too hesitant to leave Vucevic.
Augustin has been an opportunist throughout his career. Sometimes deemed too small to be an effective point guard and seemingly passed around teams throughout his entire career. Most would say he was nothing more than a backup. His career had trended in a weird way — a good year, followed by a bad year. Augustin never found a home.
But here was his chance. Here was the opening to become a legend, forever beloved in a place. A place that had finally believed in him enough to trust him with a team to lead.
Augustin’s Game 1 3-pointer to give the Magic their first playoff win in seven years is one of those moments Magic fans will never forget. It will get replayed over and over again on the Amway Center video board.
And yet. . . Augustin is still seemingly a placeholder. Someone whom fans probably think the team should move off of. The shiny new toy is sitting on the bench — full of potential and mystery.
I went with DJ because I don't think he's underrated in Orlando, but he is in the league. As for Hedo: does/did anyone really underrate him? In Orlando and in the rest of the league? I feel he was appreciated enough.
— Belgian Magic (@Belgian_Magic) August 16, 2019
I feel like DJ has given us so much but each year we are wanting to replace him. He was never a starter before ORL but has stepped into the role and performed much higher than expected.
— Jordan Munoz (@j_allday94) August 13, 2019
Never mind, Augustin just turned in one of the best seasons by a Magic point guard in its history — granted, it is not a long history of solid point guards. He put up 11.7 points per game and 5.3 assists per game, his best season in five years. That followed up another solid year when he took over the starting point guard role midseason.
Augustin is just a solid veteran point guard now. Someone the Magic trust. Someone they are perfectly fine with as a starter.
Never mind that everyone always seems to be thinking about what comes next. Augustin is pretty good for now.