Tag: DJ Augustin

Player salaries for the Houston Rockets in 2021-22, future seasons

Who do the Rockets have on their salary books for 2021-22 and beyond? Here’s a look at Houston’s financial status entering the new season.

Although the Houston Rockets are clearly rebuilding and in the early stages of a youth movement, they aren’t yet flush with cash.

For example, when the Rockets traded former MVP Russell Westbrook to Washington in December 2020, they took back another high-priced guard in John Wall. The Wizards needed to send out a comparable annual salary figure to make the trade work under the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), and the Rockets received a future first-round pick for taking on a contract that was viewed at the time as less desirable.

Thus, even though the Rockets began their rebuild by trading stars such as Westbrook and James Harden, they don’t yet have a clean financial slate. They also have veterans like Eric Gordon and Danuel House Jr. who are still under contracts that were signed in 2019 — when Harden was still in Houston and a rebuild wasn’t yet being planned.

It’s not as if Houston desperately wanted cap space in 2021, anyway. Even if the Rockets had the financial ability to sign top free agents during this past offseason, it seems doubtful that any elite veteran player would have wanted to sign with a team that just finished the 2020-21 season with the NBA’s worst record. In a year or two, though, the Rockets could be viewed as a team on the rise with a young core led by the likes of Jalen Green, Kevin Porter Jr., and Christian Wood. In that context, Houston could quickly become a desirable destination for free agents.

That’s assuming they have the money, of course. Courtesy of the HoopsHype salary database, here’s a look at who second-year general manager Rafael Stone has on the books entering 2022 and beyond.

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(Editor’s note: This list is sorted from most to least by annual salaries for the 2021-22 season. It does not yet include Armoni Brooks, who is on an Exhibit 10 contract heading into training camp.)

Outlook: Offseason projections for 2020-21 Houston Rockets roster

With the 2020-21 regular season in the books, we look back at the performances of Houston’s roster and rank the likeliest to return.

For the first time in nearly 40 years, the Houston Rockets finished an NBA regular season with the league’s worst record in 2020-21. But that doesn’t mean the year was devoid of bright spots to build around.

Young center Christian Wood earned all-star consideration prior to a severe ankle sprain, and veteran point guard John Wall showed flashes of the form that made him a five-time All-Star earlier in his career. Prospects such as Jae’Sean Tate, Kevin Porter Jr. and KJ Martin burst onto the scene, punctuated by Porter’s historic game (50 points, 11 assists) in a feel-good victory over Milwaukee in late April. Porter, Tate, Martin and Wood were identified as the team’s “young core” to build around.

Veteran big man Kelly Olynyk also made quite an impression around Toyota Center by posting some of the best numbers of his career after his acquisition by Houston at the March 25 trade deadline.

Yet, the status of the franchise’s roster entering the 2021-22 season remains very much in flux. Given Houston’s newfound rebuilding state, general manager Rafael Stone is likely to leave no stone unturned (pardon the pun) in searching for free agency or trade upgrades and potential paths to acquiring another superstar talent — similar to what they had in James Harden, prior to Harden’s forced departure in January.

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There are also complicated decisions to be made involving free agents. For example, if Olynyk wants to stay, Houston has the financial means (Bird rights) to offer whatever it takes to get a deal done. But will he accept the type of proposal that could maintain financial flexibility for Stone to pursue better players in future offseasons? After all, while Olynyk was a good player with the Rockets, he’s certainly not a star.

With those types of considerations in mind, we’re ranking the team’s final 2020-21 roster by likelihood of returning — with categories of very likely, more likely than not, questionable and doubtful. Given Houston’s rebuilding state, it would be silly to call anything 100 percent or zero.

Keep in mind that there aren’t unlimited roster spots. For example, if Houston uses all three of its current 2021 first-round draft picks on players who are immediately available to play, that could require opening three roster spots by this fall. Similarly, any signing of an external free agent in August could take away a roster spot from a 2020-21 player.

Read on to see our tiers, with links to each individual player’s personal profiles and the factors likely to be considered.

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2020-21 Rockets roster review, offseason outlook: DJ Augustin

By all indications, Augustin wants to stay in Houston, and that could make him a valuable veteran mentor to a young, rebuilding team.

Rockets Player: DJ Augustin, 5-foot-11 guard, 33 years old

Statistics in Houston: 10.6 points (42.4% FG, 38.6% on 3-pointers), 3.9 assists in 20.8 minutes per game

Professional Experience: 13 NBA seasons

Contract Status: Signed through 2021-22, will make $7.0 million next season

Augustin’s contract technically runs through the 2022-23 season — but of the $7.3 million he’s owed in that last year, only a tiny portion (~$300,000) is guaranteed. Thus, 2021-22 is effectively the final guaranteed year, with Augustin’s future beyond next season dependent on what Houston (or whatever team he is on) chooses to do in the 2022 offseason.

DJ Augustin hopeful of turnaround in second season with Rockets

Augustin is under contract for the 2021-22 season, and while he’s a veteran, it doesn’t sound like he expects or wants to leave.

Veteran guard DJ Augustin led the short-handed Rockets with 18 points and 5 assists during Sunday’s season-ending loss in Atlanta. It was an appropriate way for Houston’s year to end, with 10 players sidelined by injury and the roster seemingly outclassed by a playoff opponent.

Houston’s finished the 2020-21 season at 17-55, which is their first time to have the NBA’s worst record since the 1982-83 campaign.

At 33 years old and having not won a championship during his long NBA career, Augustin is at a career point where many veterans look to leave rebuilding situations for a better opportunity to win. Yet, in this case, the 5-foot-11 guard appears to be very happy in Houston.

In comments after Sunday’s game, Augustin said:

I feel like once we get everybody back, we have a chance. You got to believe you have a chance. A lot of games we lost, we’ve been right there, and we’ve been missing key guys in every game. So, once we get everybody back healthy and some new additions and guys get better over the summer, we have a chance. And that’s all you need in this league, an opportunity and a chance. …

I’m excited. Playing with these young guys, seeing how they listen and how they try to accept criticism, how they get better every day, how they show up early and leave late, those things are important. And they all have done it. So, I’m excited for next year.

Augustin was traded to Houston in late March as part of the deal that sent veteran forward PJ Tucker to Milwaukee.

In 20 games with the Rockets, Augustin averaged 10.6 points (38.6% on 3-pointers) and 3.9 assists in 20.8 minutes per game.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2-6x3P3ne4

Once John Wall and Eric Gordon were lost to season-ending injuries, Augustin and Kelly Olynyk effectively became the prominent veteran mentors for a young and developing team.

While Olynyk is a free agent, Augustin is under contract with the Rockets for at least one more season. While many players of his age and stature look to force a trade or contract buyout in such a situation, that doesn’t appear to be Augustin’s thinking heading into the 2021 offseason. In Augustin’s case, another potential reason is that Houston is his adopted hometown, and he played in college at the University of Texas.

Whatever the rationale, Augustin sounds legitimately excited to be a part of what the Rockets are trying to build. As general manager Rafael Stone puts together his 2021-22 roster around a “young core” of Christian Wood, Kevin Porter Jr., KJ Martin, and Jae’Sean Tate, having veterans that accept that type of role and environment is likely to be important.

“I’ve been happy since I’ve been here,” Augustin said after Sunday’s game. “Just being able to play with these guys, and being home in Houston with my family. It’s been a great experience for me.”

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYZ9uD-ED0I

Cam Oliver double-double leads Rockets in season-ending loss at Atlanta

Oliver had 10 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 blocks, but it wasn’t nearly enough for the short-handed Rockets versus the playoff-bound Hawks.

The severely short-handed Rockets played hard over the final weeks of the 2020-21 regular season, including Friday’s upset win over the Los Angeles Clippers, but they finally seemed to run out of steam in Sunday’s 124-95 loss (box score) at Atlanta. The Hawks (41-31) are headed to the playoffs as the East’s No. 5 seed, while Houston (17-55) ends the year with the NBA’s worst record for the first time since 1982-83.

DJ Augustin and Armoni Brooks led Houston with 18 points apiece, including four 3-pointers by Augustin and six by Brooks. Kelly Olynyk scored 16, while big man Cam Oliver had his first career double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds. He also blocked three shots.

Atlanta had eight players in double figures, led by Onyeka Okongwu’s 21 points (76.9% FG) and 14 rebounds. All-Star guard Trae Young had 10 points, 9 assists, and 2 steals in limited playing time of 16 minutes.

Here’s a sampling of highlights, postgame reaction, and analysis from Sunday’s loss. The NBA’s play-in tournament for the 2021 playoffs will begin Tuesday, with the playoffs officially starting Saturday.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVkgdNVQjDQ

Rockets clinch NBA’s worst record with loss to Damian Lillard, Trail Blazers

The Trail Blazers scored 50 points in the first quarter on 12-of-16 shooting (75%) on 3-pointers, and it was never especially close after.

The Houston Rockets (16-53) clinched the NBA’s worst record of the 2020-21 season with Monday’s 140-129 loss (box score) in Portland. The Trail Blazers (40-29) blitzed the visitors with 50 points in the first quarter, including an incredible 12-of-16 showing on 3-pointers (75.0%), and the game was never especially close thereafter.

For Houston, it’s the first time they’ve had the league’s worst record since going 14-68 in the 1982-83 season. That launched a run of consecutive No. 1 picks in the NBA draft for the Rockets, who selected Hall of Famers Ralph Sampson and Hakeem Olajuwon in 1983 and 1984.

Damian Lillard led the Blazers with 34 points and 9 rebounds, while Kelly Olynyk (21 points, 8 rebounds), DJ Augustin (21 points), Khyri Thomas (18 points, 5 assists) and Armoni Brooks (18 points, 6-of-9 on 3-pointers) were among the standouts for Houston. Both the Rockets and Blazers hit 18 shots from 3-point range, which led to the high scoring totals.

As usual, the Rockets were quite short-handed, with marquee injury absences including Christian Wood (right ankle), John Wall (right hamstring), Eric Gordon (right groin), and Kevin Porter Jr. (left ankle).

Houston completes its four-game road trip on Wednesday night against the defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers, with tipoff scheduled for 9:30 p.m. Central. For now, here’s a selection of highlights, analysis, and postgame reaction from Monday’s loss to Portland.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjwuE-dFSQs

KJ Martin sparks short-handed Rockets in competitive loss to Bucks

Martin set career-highs in points (26), assists (7), and treys, while DJ Augustin returned with 17 points. Newcomer Khyri Thomas scored 16.

With only eight active players, including three rookies and one player signed only hours before tipoff, the Rockets were surprisingly competitive in Friday’s 141-133 loss (box score) at Milwaukee. The Bucks (43-24) have the No. 3 record in the Eastern Conference, while Houston (16-51) retains the NBA’s worst record in the 2020-21 season.

As such, it was a relatively strong showing by a very short-handed team. The Rockets trailed by only a point at halftime and came within two late in the third quarter. Rookie KJ Martin (26 points, 7 assists, 6-of-10 on 3-pointers) set career-highs in all of those categories, while fellow big man Kelly Olynyk had 23 points, 7 assists, and a game-high 12 rebounds.

In his first appearance in nearly a month, veteran point guard DJ Augustin returned from a sprained left ankle and had 17 points and 5 assists in 29 minutes. Meanwhile, newcomer Khyri Thomas scored 16 points on 6-of-7 shooting (85.7%) in his first game with the Rockets.

Rookie guard Armoni Brooks added 19 points and 6 assists off the bench, including 5-of-9 on 3-pointers (55.6%). As a team, the Rockets shot 25-of-52 on 3-pointers (48.1%), including six by Martin, five by Brooks, and four apiece by Augustin and rookie forward Anthony Lamb.

In a balanced effort, the Bucks had three players score 20 or more, including Brook Lopez (24 points, 7 rebounds), Khris Middleton (23 points), and Jrue Holiday (20 points, 8 assists). Back-to-back NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo had 17 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists.

The Rockets were missing 10 of their 17 players under standard contracts, including Christian Wood (right ankle), John Wall (right hamstring), Jae’Sean Tate (left knee), Eric Gordon (right groin), Sterling Brown (left knee), Kevin Porter Jr. (left ankle), Avery Bradley (personal reasons), Dante Exum (left calf), David Nwaba (right wrist), and D.J. Wilson (health and safety protocols). Houston was able to dress eight active players, which is the minimum, by signing Thomas to a hardship exception.

See below for highlights, analysis, and postgame reaction from Friday’s loss in Milwaukee. The Rockets have a late flight to Utah to get ready for another game on Saturday, with tipoff at 9:00 p.m. Central.

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Danuel House Jr., DJ Augustin could rejoin Rockets by next game

House and Augustin have each missed significant time of late due to ankle injuries, but they could return Wednesday versus Philadelphia.

Danuel House Jr. and DJ Augustin could return to the Rockets in time for Houston’s next game on Wednesday versus Philadelphia, according to head coach Stephen Silas. Both went through on-court workouts prior to Sunday’s game against New York, also at Toyota Center.

Augustin, a 5-foot-11 guard, hasn’t played since spraining his left ankle on April 12. Meanwhile, the 6-foot-6 House has only played in two games since spraining his right ankle on April 4.

“They’re getting closer,” Silas said prior to the Rockets-Knicks tipoff. “With (Sunday) and then two days before our next game, hopefully, we’ll get one of those guys back for Wednesday. We’re pointing probably closer towards House and D.J. Augustin than Eric (Gordon).”

Now 33 years old, Augustin is averaging 9.2 points (36.0% on 3-pointers) and 4.0 assists in 19.1 minutes per game with the Rockets. House, who is 27, is averaging 8.9 points (35.4% on 3-pointers) and 3.8 rebounds in 26.8 minutes. Both are under contract for the 2021-22 season, which could give Houston additional incentive to get them more repetitions with the larger group before the offseason break.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eb6pscF5gOQ

Gordon also went through a pregame workout on Sunday, but his right groin strain — suffered on March 11 — was considered more serious than either of the Augustin and House injuries. Thus, while Silas remains hopeful that Gordon will return at some point before Houston’s 2020-21 season ends on May 16, it isn’t likely to come as soon as the others.

“Obviously, we want to be smart about it with him being out so long,” Silas said of the situation with Gordon. “The amount of workouts we need for him to play, we’re just not sure about that. But I would like to see him on the floor with the new guys we have. We haven’t seen him on the floor with Scoot (Kevin Porter Jr.). We haven’t seen him on the floor with Kelly (Olynyk) and C-Wood (Christian Wood) together. We’re a different team than when he got injured.”

“With the type of injury he had and the soreness, you don’t want him to re-injure and don’t want him to come back too soon, especially when we’re winding down on the season,” Silas said.

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As injuries linger, Stephen Silas laments Rockets’ lack of depth

Before Friday’s game, Silas offered injury updates regarding Sterling Brown, Eric Gordon, Danuel House Jr., and DJ Augustin.

The theme of 2020-21 for the Rockets has been widespread injuries. Thus, as the regular season enters its final month, it’s only fitting that Houston remains ravaged by player injuries within its desired rotation.

While Christian Wood and John Wall are back in the lineup, the Rockets still had six players listed as out on Friday’s injury report. Sterling Brown (left knee), DJ Augustin (left ankle), Danuel House Jr. (right ankle), Eric Gordon (right groin), David Nwaba (right wrist), and Dante Exum (right calf) are all currently out, with no clear timetable for a return. At various points this season, each has played significant NBA minutes.

Nwaba and Exum are likely done for the season, while Brown is the closest to returning. As for the others, here’s what head coach Stephen Silas said prior to Friday’s game versus Denver:

It’s hard to say. DJ, Eric, and House are moving slower than Sterling. It’s probably going to be another week for those guys, to re-evaluate. But for Sterling, it’s more of a day-to-day type thing. That’s about it.

With Eric’s injury, you really have to be careful, because of the nature of how it happened. It was a non-contact injury. House doesn’t seem to be improving. He just seems to be, kind of, walking around, and not really able to push off on that foot. And then DJ, I wouldn’t say it’s a severe injury, but it was a serious injury with his foot. So, Sterling is the closest one to coming back, but we need all four guys. We really do. Our depth has taken a big-time hit. It’s been hit, obviously, all season, but we need those guys back.

To Silas’ point, Houston fared well in Wednesday’s loss to Indiana when starters were on the floor, but their bench units were crushed.

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In the big picture, the Rockets (14-41) aren’t desperate for wins, since they have no realistic path to the 2021 playoffs. From an organizational standpoint, there’s also a clear incentive to maximize odds for the upcoming draft lottery. Yet, with all three of Gordon, House, and Augustin under contract for at least one more season, there are benefits to getting a larger sample and being able to evaluate them more before 2021-22.

Thus, while the Rockets certainly won’t push the envelope with an injured player, they’re also not likely to shut them down if they’re deemed healthy and available to play. However, with the final game scheduled for May 16 — exactly one month from Friday — time is starting to dwindle.

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Rockets hopeful of having Sterling Brown back within days

Citing a sore left knee, Brown left Saturday’s game early in Golden State and did not play in either of Houston’s last two losses.

The Houston Rockets are hopeful of having reserve guard Sterling Brown back in the rotation by the time of their upcoming back-to-back on Sunday (in Orlando) and Monday (in Miami).

Brown left last Saturday’s loss at Golden State after playing just four minutes, and he has not played since. Head coach Stephen Silas has referred to Brown’s injury as a “grade one strain” of his left knee.

In comments from Thursday’s team practice at Toyota Center, Silas said he did not anticipate Brown playing in Friday’s home game versus Denver. However, that could be his final absence.

“Possibly the back-to-back,” Silas said of his return. Per Silas, Brown has been more mobile in team activities than other injured players.

A 6-foot-5 guard, Brown has been one of Houston’s best perimeter defenders and shooters this season. In 24.1 minutes per game, Brown is averaging 8.2 points (42.3% on 3-pointers) and 4.4 rebounds.

The 26-year-old is not yet under contract with the Rockets beyond this season, but he’s young enough that he could be a part of their plans.

Beyond Brown, Silas did not have a substantive update on other injured players such as DJ Augustin (left ankle sprain), Danuel House Jr. (right ankle sprain), and Eric Gordon (right groin strain). None are expected to play in Houston’s upcoming stretch of three games in four nights.

David Nwaba (right wrist strain) and Dante Exum (right calf strain) are believed to be out for the remainder of the 2020-21 season.

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