How D.J. Augustin will help the Houston Rockets this year and next

The Houston Rockets were the topic of conversation for weeks leading into the trade deadline. With players like P.J. Tucker and Victor Oladipo rumored to be available, the Rockets were looking to get assets back for the two veterans on expiring deals.

The Rockets’ primary goal was to get young players or draft picks in return. With the season slowly slipping away and chances of making the playoffs all but gone, Tucker and Oladipo were two of the top players on the trade market and it led the Rockets and Tucker to decide that it would be best for him to sit out until a deal could be made.

Oladipo, for most of the year, had been in and out of the lineup, and even though he had a handful of good games, he too often was hurting the on-court production, mainly because he was taking valuable minutes away from Kevin Porter Jr.

The first domino to fall was when Tucker was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks. This kicked off the first of two trades that surprisingly brought back quality veterans who can help the team not just this year but in the years beyond.

Houston Rockets add a quality veteran in the P.J. Tucker trade

Sources: Houston is trading PJ Tucker, Rodions Kurucs and Bucks’ 2022 first-round pick back to Milwaukee for DJ Augustin, DJ Wilson and 2023 unprotected first-round pick. Houston also gets right to swap its 2021 second-round pick for Milwaukee's FRP pick unless it falls 1-9.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 17, 2021

When this trade happened, not much was expected from D.J. Augustin or D.J. Wilson because both were out of the rotation for the Bucks. Since coming to the Rockets, Augustin has been great, averaging 10.3 points a game while shooting 47.7-percent from the field.

It’s not just the scoring that has made Augustin a valuable part of the Rockets’ rotation. It’s the combination of his leadership, his ability to direct the offense, and the wherewithal to get his teammates open shots. Augustin, even at 33, still has a lot left in the tank and could be a great mentor to a player like Porter Jr., who may eventually take over the point guard role.

DJ ➡️ DJ ?#FlavorOfTheGame l @wingstop pic.twitter.com/3mM2C7E57d

— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) March 30, 2021

As you see Augustin more time than not will make the right read and get his teammates the best possible shot. Also, his knowledge of how to play off the ball will be a huge addition to a Rockets’ offense that has struggled this season.

Gotta love the cut by DJ pic.twitter.com/IUciQBU0jo

— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) March 30, 2021

Being able to teach the younger guys the proper way to read defenses and make adjustments on the fly will only help players like Porter Jr. and Kenyon Martin Jr. in the future. Another underrated aspect of Augustin’s game is his consistent mid-range and outside shooting.

? DJ to end the 3rd pic.twitter.com/xcTq1zw4YZ

— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) March 30, 2021

Sometimes younger players are more likely to listen to players who have years of NBA playing experience over a coach giving them directions from the sideline. Having veterans like Augustin be the coach on the court will make a huge difference for the Rockets’ development, and it doesn’t hurt that he can still ball too.