Rockets 2021-2022 player previews: D.J. Augustin

With 921 games under his belt, nobody has seen more NBA basketball on the Houston Rockets roster than D.J. Augustin.

Augustin came aboard in the middle of last season following a trade from the Milwaukee Bucks for P.J. Tucker.

Tucker would go on to win an NBA Championship with the Bucks, while Augustin played the final 20 games of his season in Houston.

Augustin graduated from nearby Hightower High School in Missouri City and his return to the city was a breath of fresh air for the Rockets.

Augustin played well in his short stint in Houston, averaging 10.6 points and nearly four assists per game in 20 games last season.

Augustin enters the season expected to play a similar role in Houston this season as a backup point guard behind Kevin Porter Jr., but that role might not be the same by the end of the season.

As the oldest member of the Houston Rockets, Augustin provides tremendous value as a mentor for one of the youngest teams in the league. He can also slow the offense down and make plays when the young players want to force shots or plays that are ill-advised.

Augustin is set to make $7 million this season but is only guaranteed $333,333 of his $7,333,333 contract next season, the final one in his current contract. This makes him a very movable contract and contending teams that need a point guard may be interested in the 14-year vet.

With rookie Josh Christopher waiting in the wings, it would make sense later in the season to play him over Augustin when games don’t have a lot of weight attached to it.

I’d be surprised if Augustin remains with the team beyond this season. In fact, it shouldn’t be a surprise if he is moved or bought out at some point during the season, but for the time being, Augustin is a needed vet presence that can help shape and mold the young Rockets into better players.