Orlando Magic Trade Value Column 2020: Big decisions on the horizon

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D.J. Augustin has been a steady presence for the Orlando Magic but his future with the team is uncertain. (Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images) /

Category III — Is that what you are offering? OK, I guess

9. D.J. Augustin (1 year, $7.3 million)

When the Orlando Magic signed D.J. Augustin to a four-year deal in the fated summer of 2016, everyone was a bit confused with the decision to commit that much to a backup point guard. Orlando has asked Augustin to wear a lot of different hats.

By the end of this contract, the Magic organization is certainly very thankful for their point guard. He hit that big shot in Game 1 against the Toronto Raptors last year. And Augustin largely keeps the team organized and playing with a proper pace.

Augustin, currently out with bone irritation in his right knee, is missed dearly by this Magic team. He has good chemistry with Nikola Vucevic and is just a solid offensive option. Even if his impact does not show up statistically, he impacts this team’s winning.

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Still, Augustin would have been a prime candidate for a trade to add some depth elsewhere, even if the Magic needed his shooting. Orlando is trending toward versatile, athletic players at every position. While Augustin is a solid game manager, he does not fit that profile. Augustin was a holdover from the previous group.

With Augustin hurt at the trade deadline, the Magic are likely going to hold onto him to the end of the season (he is due to be re-evaluated for that injury this week or next week, according to the team’s original timeline). It is not likely the team brings him back on any kind of long-term contract.

8. Michael Carter-Williams (1 year, $1.6 million)

It is really incredible how Michael Carter-Williams has saved his career. The Magic brought him back on a 10-day contract last season after Isaiah Briscoe‘s injury and Michael Carter-Williams immediately embedded and endeared himself to the team. His impact seemed to be a whole lot more than the 12 games he actually played.

His defensive energy has been impossible for coach Steve Clifford to leave off the floor. That is why the Magic tried some of those odd lineups with Carter-Williams at shooting guard or playing off the ball. The team just needs him to push the pace and cause havoc.

Carter-Williams is absolutely a player the Magic should look to re-sign using some of the space freed up in Augustin’s likely departure. So many teams could use a player that can mix things up and give their team an edge like Carter-Williams.

It is really amazing how much Carter-Williams has embedded himself in this team’s culture.

He is not perfect, of course. Sometimes he goes off that edge and takes unnecessary risks. He is not always the best at getting the team organized and into their sets. He probably needs to be in lineups with more shooting — something the Magic just cannot give him with their bench groups.

But Carter-Williams has Clifford’s complete trust and that means something. Especially since he is still so productive.