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  March 22, 2018 7:50 PM PDT

  TORONTO -- Toronto Raptors president and general manager Masai Ujiri continued to remake the clubs roster Monday with the addition of guard D. Cheap Vernon Hargreaves Jersey .J. Augustin. Augustin, whose one-year deal was first reported last week, adds another defensive player to the cupboard for head coach Dwane Casey. The 25-year-old, who was selected ninth overall at the 2008 NBA draft by the Charlotte Bobcats, spent last year with the Indiana Pacers. "He was one of the young, experienced point guards we thought could come and bring something to our program," Ujiri said after Augustin met the media for the first time at Air Canada Centre. "I like the experience. Hes been a starting point guard in the NBA. (He) struggled at times a little bit last year. Good outside shooter for the most part and he can run a team." In 358 career games with Indiana and Charlotte, Augustin has averaged 9.6 points and 4.0 assists in 24.5 minutes. The New Orleans natives numbers were down in 2012-13 (4.7 points, 2.2 assists, 16.1 minutes in 76 games) while coming off the bench for the Pacers, who made it to the Eastern Conference final. "Winning solves a lot of problems. With the Pacers we won a lot games so the atmosphere was a lot better and guys worked hard," Augustin said. "We took it serious. In Charlotte it was a little different, with losing you get down. "Hopefully here we can get going on the right track and guys can have that winning atmosphere." Augustin, who is expected to back up starting point guard Kyle Lowry with the Raptors, sees potential in Toronto. "Theres a group of young guys who are pretty good and have a chance to be very good -- hard workers," he said. "Thats the type of person I am and I want to come in and work hard with those guys and try and change things here in Toronto and make it to the playoffs." Augustin plays in the summer against Lowry and expects there to be chemistry with his new teammate. "(Lowry) is a tough guard," he said. "Hes going to help me on defence, just being tough and being vocal out there and I think we can help each other a lot." The University of Texas product joins former Pacers teammate Tyler Hansbrough, who signed a two-year deal with the Raptors earlier this month. Ujiri has had a busy off-season since taking over basketball duties from the departed Bryan Colangelo. His biggest move came when he traded under-performing centre Andrea Bargnani to the New York Knicks for Steve Novak, Marcus Camby, swingman Quentin Richardson and a couple of draft picks. The club also recently signed guard Dwight Buycks, averaged a team-best 18.0 points a game last season for Gravelines in the French Pro A league in 2012-13. Augustin, meanwhile, says he has learned a lot in his five seasons in the NBA. "Its a business. The NBA is a business but youve got to represent yourself well," he said. "Its a job and youve got to take every day seriously and go practise hard and play hard and things will work out." Cheap Jacquies Smith Jersey .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable. Chris Baker Jersey . In what the team had called a retirement, Ryan said Thursday that he is resigning as chief executive of the Rangers in a move effective at the end of this month. http://www.cheapbuccaneersjerseyselite.com/?tag=cheap-bryan-anger-jersey . -- Patrick Reed got an early start in golf.Dwight Howard never grew comfortable playing with Kobe Bryant and for Mike DAntoni. Once a wide-smiling, fun-loving big guy, Howard lacked that joy in Los Angeles. The Rockets are confident hell find it again in Houston. "Were going to get a smile back on his face that hasnt been on it for a couple of years because of various things, injury and maybe the team situation he was in at the time," general manager Daryl Morey told Comcast SportsNet Houston. "Hes going to have a smile back on his face." The Rockets were the ones beaming Friday, thanks to Howards choice to take less money in hopes of more happiness. "Ive decided to become a member of the Houston Rockets. I feel (its) the best place for me and I am excited about joining the Rockets and Im looking forward to a great season," Howard wrote on Twitter. He leaves behind an extra $30 million and an offence under DAntoni that he was never fully pleased with, joining a Rockets team that could become an immediate contender in the Western Conference with the All-Star centre in the middle. "Years of work by Dwight & Rockets went into this. This team is going to be special," Morey tweeted. USA Today first reported earlier Friday that Howard would join the Rockets, where he will team with All-Star James Harden to give the Rockets a potentially potent inside-outside combination. That didnt quite end the Howard saga, which has dragged on a couple of years. Howard spoke again with the Lakers amid reports he was changing his mind. Turns out, he was just saying goodbye. "We have been informed of Dwights decision to not return to the Lakers," Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said in a statement. "Naturally were disappointed. However, we will now move forward in a different direction with the future of the franchise and, as always, will do our best to build the best team possible, one our great Lakers fans will be proud to support. "To Dwight, we thank him for his time and consideration, and for his efforts with us last season. We wish him the best of luck on the remainder of his NBA career." Dallas, Golden State and Atlanta were the other suitors interested in Howard. But it was the Rockets, who brought Hall of Fame centre Hakeem Olajuwon with them when theey made their pitch to Howard on Monday, who beat out the other teams. Chris Godwin Jersey. And now Howard will follow the likes of Olajuwon and Yao Ming in Houstons middle. The deal cant become official until July 10, after next seasons salary cap has been set. The Rockets can give him a four-year deal worth about $88 million, a year less and far below the $118 million the Lakers could have offered. The Lakers acquired Howard last August from Orlando as part of a four-way trade that also included Philadelphia and Denver. He averaged 17.1 points and 12.4 rebounds in 76 games, good numbers but far from his usual dominant play in eight seasons with the Magic as he played his way back into shape following back surgery. He wasnt a natural fit in DAntonis system, had what appeared at times to be a strained relationship with Bryant and acknowledged not having fun at times. Bryant apparently wont miss him. Though he took part in the Lakers meeting with Howard on Tuesday, the five-time champion posted a photo on Instagram of himself and Pau Gasol, the Lakers remaining big man, shortly after Howards decision. Howards awkward departure is right in line with the confusion thats followed him over the last few years. The No. 1 pick in the 2004 draft was one of the NBAs most popular and likable players, an Olympic gold medallist who led the Magic to the 2009 NBA Finals -- where they lost to Bryant and the Lakers. But he decided a couple of years later that he wanted out of Orlando, and the Magic eventually gave his agent permission to negotiate with the Nets, Mavericks and Lakers about arranging a trade. Yet Howard would later agree to not opt for free agency, remaining with the Magic for the 2011-12 season. Howards season ended prematurely when he needed back surgery, and Orlando finally dealt him to Los Angeles. The Lakers season was a disappointment, with Bryant, Gasol and Steve Nash all missing time with injuries. They never developed any chemistry, getting swept in the first round of the playoffs by San Antonio. The Rockets believe hell find that chemistry in Houston. "We have good teammates. Theyre young. Theyre guys who are great not only on the floor but off. Hes going to get along great with our team," Morey said in an interview with Comcast SportsNet Houston. ' ' '