Magic to sign C.J. Watson to an offer sheet.

[DiplomaticMagic]

The Orlando Magic are close to signing free agent point guard C.J. Watson, giving them an alternative to veteran Anthony Johnson as a backup to often-injured Jameer Nelson.

Watson, 6-2, 180 pounds, played the last two years at Golden State after spending one year in Greece and another year in the NBA Development League.

According to NBA sources, Watson could be signed as early as this weekend. Watson last season averaged 9.5 points and 2.7 assists, mostly as a backup for the Warriors. Golden State would have seven days to match any offer, since Watson is a restricted free agent.

The Magic have been looking for a low-budget point guard since they traded veteran Rafer Alston last month to New Jersey as part of the deal that brought Vince Carter to Orlando.

Alston was the Magic starter through the second half of last season and through their playoff run. Despite helping the Magic reach the NBA Finals, he became expendable because the Magic already were committed to Nelson as their starter for next season.

Nelson, though, has struggled with durability through his career. He played 42 games last season and 69 games the previous year. His size and willingness to throw around his 6-0, 190-pound frame has led to several injuries in his five years with the Magic.

The Magic already have Johnson under contract, but they decided not to re-sign free agent point guard Tyronn Lue.

http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/07/17/magi ... -j-watson/

[MaxaMillion711]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y858hGmWZoU

I saw him play a bit last year ... liked his game ... he shot pretty nice

[DiplomaticMagic]

His stats look good, but I prefer Earl Watson.

I wonder how much $$.

[Def Swami]

I would like Earl too, mostly because hes a proven guy, but I liked what CJ did last year in GS. I like the pick up. Hes a solid young PG. Most importantly, hes young.

[Viper1500]

That was fast. CJ has some game, the guy would fit in well I think.

[SOUL]

He was decent in GS, solid.

Earl would be way more expensive.

[Diehardmagicfan]

He would be solid I want to know how much though.

[NickAnderson]

**** this kid is 40% 3Per

I'll take him...

[magicfaninTN]

Do you think GS will match? Why or why not?

[BurningBridges]

He was decent in GS, solid.

Earl would be way more expensive.

Noooo! CJ has a better offensive game but averages way fewer assists that Earl

[magicman123]

not much of a passer but a great shooter.. 45%, 39% 3pfg..hes 25 and 6'2...hes def not better then watson but a solid pickup, not bad

[magicfan4life05]

I preferred the other Watson, but I will not be disappointed at all with this Watson.

[eyriq]

He is young, can shoot, and would be better than Johnson. Check, check, and check. If we are offering him more than a minimum contract we are choosing him over a wing like Barnes and Daniels. Interesting to see where O-tiz's mind is at. A PG makes a lot of sense.

Edit: After looking at Earls numbers in comparison, CJ looks much better. What are you guys smoking?

[Hotshot Hower]

he'd be a "perfect" fit to this Magic team.

adds to our young nucleus probably at a fair/decent price.

depends on the length of the contract, but could very well groom to the kid into our "2nd" unit point guard of the future, especially if contract friendly.

with rumors GS may be looking to selling the team, cost cutting is inevitable. With the rise of Anthony Morrow (whose due a new payday) should make CJ expendable in Larry Riley's eyes..

great move by Otis if it goes down.

[Neon1]

Wow....i thought CJ would be nice to look at but i didnt think they would go after him....nice pickup. Doubt GS matches.

[BurningBridges]

He is young, can shoot, and would be better than Johnson. Check, check, and check. If we are offering him more than a minimum contract we are choosing him over a wing like Barnes and Daniels. Interesting to see where O-tiz's mind is at. A PG makes a lot of sense.

Edit: After looking at Earls numbers in comparison, CJ looks much better. What are you guys smoking?

CJ weighs only 176 pounds and is short. That does not spell defense to me. His small stature might make him very injury prone. Another issue with CJ is that he does not average that many assists. CJ is a shoot first pass second worse version of Alston who does not average that many assists at all. We don't need another good shooter...we need a distributor...CJ averages 2.7 assists compared to Earl's almost 6 assists a game!

[magicman123]

many of us were looking at him once nelson got injured...

[magicman123]

He is young, can shoot, and would be better than Johnson. Check, check, and check. If we are offering him more than a minimum contract we are choosing him over a wing like Barnes and Daniels. Interesting to see where O-tiz's mind is at. A PG makes a lot of sense.

Edit: After looking at Earls numbers in comparison, CJ looks much better. What are you guys smoking?

CJ weighs only 176 pounds and is short. That does not spell defense to me. His small stature might make him very injury prone. Another issue with CJ is that he does not average that many assists. CJ is a shoot first pass second worse version of Alston who does not average that many assists at all. We don't need another good shooter...we need a distributor...CJ averages 2.7 assists compared to Earl's almost 6 assists a game!

hes taller then watson, but im not sure how good of a defender cj is

[ADRajX]

nice signing

[Super_Mario_3]

looks like he has a sweet-looking jumper and has the quickness to get to the rim. jameer-lite?

the warriors probably won't match, given that they've got a lot 4 other point guards, and they would be under the cap next offseason. if they match, that's around $1.8M less to offer a potential FA.