D.J. Augustin Brings Late-Season Veteran Presence To Rockets
MEMPHIS — The Houston Rockets had one more roster spot to fill and decided to bring back an old affiliate. The Rockets signed veteran point guard D.J. Augustin for the remainder of the season Tuesday afternoon, as first reported by ESPN.
Augustin's arrival will mark his second stint with the franchise. He originally joined the Rockets in March 2021 in a trade that sent P.J. Tucker to the Milwaukee Bucks. And in February of last year, the Rockets traded Augustin to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Augustin will not change the trajectory of the Rockets' season with eight games left. But Coach Stephen Silas believes Augustin will be a significant voice within the Rockets' locker room as the season comes to a close.
"The great thing about having D.J. back, he knows all of these guys already, except for the rookies," Silas said. "D.J. just has a great way about him. Anyone we can add to our group to help pull us in the right direction and share good advice in the locker room is always good."
Silas, who coached Augustin for two seasons as an assistant with the Charlotte Hornets, described the 36-year-old point guard as someone who communicates well with his teammates on and off the court.
Augustin is quick to laugh and joke. But according to Silas, he commands the attention of his teammates when he speaks.
The Hornets drafted Augustin as a first-round pick (no. 9 overall) in 2008, and his 15-year career as an undersized guard who overcame several adverse situations has always enamored Silas.
Augustin, a four-star recruit as a high school senior, had to finish his prep career in Houston after Hurricane Katrina forced his family out of New Orleans in August 2005. He later became a McDonald's All-American at Hightower High School in Missouri City.
"When you think about his career at 5'11 or 6'0, he has sketched out a long career," Silas said. "He has bounced around and has had a lot of good and bad times.
"So, going into the end of the season, it's really important to add someone in the locker room, especially someone I know well and know what the message is going to be."
In 976 career games with 334 starts, Augustin has averaged 9.5 points, 3.9 assists and 1.8 rebounds. Over the past two seasons, Augustin shot 39.6% from the 3-point range with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.44.
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