10 players the Rockets could add with the mid-level exception

3. D.J. Augustin

One thing that’s been proven to be pivotal is having a reserve who can both facilitate offense for others and provide offense individually. The Los Angeles Lakers became the latest example during their 2020 title run, as they received large contributions from Rajon Rondo, who averaged 10.6 points and seven assists during the Western Conference Semifinals against the Houston Rockets, while also making 44.4 percent of his 3-pointers.

D.J. Augustin would provide the Rockets with a similar type of spark off the bench, as he can score and/or create looks for his teammates. Augustin averaged double figures for the last three consecutive seasons, as he averaged 10.2 points in 2017-18, 11.7 points in 2018-19, and 10.5 points in 2019-20. Augustin also averaged 4.6 assists for the Orlando Magic last season, while only playing an average of 24 minutes per contest.

Although Augustin regressed from long-range last season, as he only made 34.8 percent of his threes, he made at least 40 percent from three in each of the previous two seasons, making him one of only nine players in the NBA to make at least 40 percent from deep in each of the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons combined (Joe Harris, Stephen Curry, Bojan Bogdanovic, Doug McDermott, Otto Porter, Klay Thompson, Kyrie Irving, and Karl Anthony-Towns).

Augustin finished the 2018-19 season with the 12th-best 3-point clip, which is further proof of his ability to knock down the 3-point shot. Augustin was clearly one of Orlando’s best players during the 2020 postseason, as he had a team-best six assists during their first round matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks, while also making 47.1 percent of his threes.

Augustin made $6.7 million in 2019-20 and is sure to land a deal on the mid-level exception. With the Rockets reportedly willing to spend $5.7 million on their mid-level exception, Augustin could find himself in a Houston Rockets uniform.

Next: No. 2