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Incumbent Team: Denver Nuggets

Age at Start of 2016-17: 28

Free-Agency Type: Unrestricted

2015-16 Per-Game Stats: 7.5 points, 1.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.1 blocks, 42.3% FG

2015-16 Salary: $3,000,000

D.J. Augustin has always straddled the NBA's bargain-bin line. His instant offense and comfort with playing off the ball haven't yet resulted in a steady role, in large part because, at 6'0", he's often overmatched defensively at the league's deepest position.

Since 2012-13 alone, the eight-year veteran has suited up for six different teams. But Augustin's most recent landing spot, the Denver Nuggets, helped him showcase the full extent of his offensive value, as both a primary playmaker and spot-up shooter.

As Christopher Dempsey of the Denver Post wrote:

He had some trouble with teams doubling him off the screen and creating turnovers, but overall Augustin ranked just outside the NBA's top 10 percent in passes out of traps that resulted in scores. The Nuggets averaged a robust 1.429 points per possession when Augustin was trapped. Augustin was in pick-and-roll situations as the ball-handler 48.9 percent of the time, by far his most utilized play. Transition circumstances were next (14 percent), followed by spot-up shots (13.4).

Augustin's 41.1 percent clip from downtown significantly aided a Nuggets offense that ranked in the bottom five of three-point efficiency. And he fits as a long-term complement to cornerstone-in-the-making Emmanuel Mudiay. Augustin put down more than 45 percent of his triples off the catch this past season.

Denver, of course, must get in line to keep its second-unit firecracker. Cap space will be available in excess across the NBA, and most offenses will kill for a backup point man with range and the ability to finish plays on the move. More than 100 players eclipsed 200 drives for the 2015-16 campaign. Only two of them scored on at least 49 percent of those attacks while posting an assist rate of 13.5 or better. Chris Paul was one; Augustin was the other.

That puts Augustin in line for a steep raise. But even if his yearly salary doubles—or triples—there's a strong chance he once again outperforms his market value.