Kennedy: Orlando Magic End Pursuit of C.J. Watson
by Ben Q Rock on Aug 17, 2009 5:22 PM EDT
in News
43 comments
A recent report by Alex Kennedy of RealGM indicates the Orlando Magic have finally relented in their efforts to acquire restricted free-agent point guard C.J. Watson. According to Kennedy, the Magic have tried to land Watson via a sign-and-trade deal with his current team, the Golden State Warriors, for weeks, but talks have reached an impasse.
UPDATE: Kennedy reports the Warriors have offered Watson $4.5 million over 3 years, for an average annual salary of $1.5 million. For comparison, the most the Magic could pay him this season is $825,497, the minimum salary for a player with two years of NBA experience.
Last Tuesday a report from a different writer, Adam Lauridsen of the Bay Area News Group, said the Magic offered the Warriors enough of the Hedo Turkoglu trade exception to cover Watson's new contract, as well as a second-round draft pick, and the draft rights to Milovan Rakovic.
Indeed, it's disappointing to read that Watson, the ideal third-string point guard for Orlando due to his age and skill-set, won't join the Magic this season. But it's at least comforting to know that this saga, which has dragged on for exactly a month, is finally ending.
Now that Watson's officially off the table, the Magic can look elsewhere to address their need for a third-string point guard. To whom should they turn their attention now?
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Hope Russell robinson gets cut or wait until mid season for a trade.. Maybe a vet gets cut for salary reason?
"No matter where you go, you are what you are playa"-Jay Z
Twitter Account
by Wmillion on Aug 17, 2009 4:04 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Go to the D-league
who know, Otis may find a diamond in the rough. I know it won’t happen, but it’s probably the right path to take.
One Freaken Second
sigh
Let's observe a moment of silence for CLee, Skip to my Lou, Batman, and The Michael Jordan of Turkey...
Welcome Back Polish Hammer and Welcome Vinsanity, Ryan Anderson, Brandon Bass, and Matt Barnes!!
Just get Tyronn Lue.
He isn’t going to play much, but he’s a good clubhouse guy (always important).
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
Agreed. I think Lue's the best option.
Third Quarter Collapse: An Orlando Magic blog at SB Nation | Brandon Bass: "I just play hard."
When you take this in perspective...
…That the biggest hole in our roster is a 3rd string pg! That and trying to find minutes all of our players, but I think SVG should just refer to 3QC for that one.
Good Guys Don't use the reply button
It's a good problem to have.
But I do think it’s an important decision because whoever is the third point guard could potentially replace Anthony Johnson when his contract expires in the upcoming off-season. That’s why C.J. Watson was such an attractive option, because he fit that bill perfectly.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
To Ben Q and erivera7
Having Lue and A.J. back up Jameer didn’t work last year…why should we expect it to work this coming season?…Especially since we are going for a championship!
The best candidate “BY FAR” is Carlos Arroyo…he fits the crtierion for what we need in a back-up.
If the Magic can bring back Keith Bogans more than once they can do it for Arroyo…
by Magic fan in Polk on Aug 17, 2009 9:21 PM EDT reply actions
What? That makes no sense.
Lue wasn’t around when Nelson was fully healthy and playing, and neither Johnson or Lue played when Nelson was back during the Finals, so that seems like an off-based comment to make.
Anthony is more than a serviceable backup for Jameer; he’s not going to set the world on fire but he’s a steady option and a heady presence in the locker room (the latter also applies to Tyronn).
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
Besides who knows
This could be a lot of Otis Smith posturing to make Golden State make a move. He likes to do that, as Dallas Maverick fans can attest…
We are going for a CHAMPIONSHIP!!
Lue and A.J. are both scrubs. Stan wouldn’t even let A.J. play in the Finals…preferring Jameer who hadn’t played at all in 4 months…doesn’t that speak volumnes???
All I know is Otis better fix this problem before camp starts…I know he’s not crazy enough to gamble on a Rafer Alston like fix to fall into our laps again…
by Magic fan in Polk on Aug 17, 2009 9:59 PM EDT reply actions
Neither player is a scrub.
They’re serviceable backups, which is all they need to be with the Magic. Johnson didn’t play in the Finals because it made no sense for SVG to split time with three point guards – I don’t think it should be an indictment on Anthony that the coach decided to play the two best floor generals on the team.
It’s not really a problem. If it was, Otis would have addressed it already.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
disagree
Lue is a scrub, AJ is old.
We need to address the position, not a pressing need, but a need.
"No matter where you go, you are what you are playa"-Jay Z
Twitter Account
Actually, Lue is just as good as Johnson.
Before Tryonn got buried on the bench in Orlando, he played a bit in Milwaukee.
His numbers are not much different than Anthony’s.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
exactly
At least AJ is just old. Lue is a scrub.Neither player is very good..
"No matter where you go, you are what you are playa"-Jay Z
Twitter Account
I still think scrub is a bit harsh of a label.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
To erivera7
That is “YOUR” opinion…wait till Jameer gets hurt for an extended period and we are left with A.J. and Tyrone Lue running the show…do you not remember last year???
Jiminy Christmas…
by Magic fan in Polk on Aug 17, 2009 10:10 PM EDT reply actions
I'm aware of what happened last year, and the fact of the matter is this.
If Jameer goes down, the Magic are screwed no matter who is the backup so it makes no difference.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
Unless it's like .. Deron Williams or something, but that'll never happen realistically-speaking.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
Arroyo
Back to my original statement…not drop-off at all…in fact if my memory serves the last time Carlos was here and Jameer sat out we won like 10 games in a row…and since we own Arroyo’s bird rights I think we can give him a litle more without effecting our luxury tax???
by Magic fan in Polk on Aug 17, 2009 10:15 PM EDT reply actions
Are you kidding me?
Jameer Nelson is an All-Star caliber point guard. Carlos Arroyo is barely a replacement-level player. Let’s go ahead and take a look at Nelson’s season last year, to Arroyo’s season two years prior.
I rest my case. If you really going from Nelson to Arroyo means there’s no drop-off, te salud.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
Nelson
He was an all-star last year…no doubt…but before that he was not close to all-star status…the year Carlos last played for the Magic there was no doubt he was a very capable back-up.
And that’s what we need…erivera7, you are confusing seasons…last year Jameer was an all-star…two years ago when Carlos played he was an excellent back-up…not much if any difference in effectiveness when either player was in the game.
Again, what are the alternatives???…Jason Williams, washed up…I could go on…Get on the Arroyo wagon, erivera7…at this point it’s out best option…by far…
by Magic fan in Polk on Aug 17, 2009 10:38 PM EDT reply actions
People seem to forget
that Arroyo absolutely hated being the backup PG. This is a laaarge reason he ended up buried on the bench behind Dooling. I have nothing against Arroyo and believe he has skills that could make him a serviceable backup for Nelson, but I do think his attitude might be the same as it was before he left. This would not be good for team solidarity. Heck, if it could be done, I’d prefer having Dooling back.
I gotta agree with the comment that just because this report says Watson is no longer in the mix, that doesn’t mean that Smith has given up on him. Otis likes to play his cards close to the vest.
Man is the only non-linear computing device still mass-produced by unskilled labor.
As best I can tell, the Magic aren't interested in bringing Arroyo back
Remember in the 2008 playoffs, when Van Gundy buried Arroyo on the depth chart behind Nelson and Dooling?
Third Quarter Collapse: An Orlando Magic blog at SB Nation | Brandon Bass: "I just play hard."
Arroyo isn't SVG's type of player.
It’s as simple as that.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
Can we throw in our 2nd for the next two years
and get this deal done??
"No matter where you go, you are what you are playa"-Jay Z
Twitter Account
That'd be nice.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
erivera7
Just like your suggestion of Lue and A.J. is laughable…I don’t care about stats…the Magic won 10 in a row when Nelson got hurt 2 years ago…I would say thats serviceable.
Ben Q., you have a press pass right? Why don’t you ask Otis about Carlos?…Again, if not Carlos then who?…Unless Otis makes a trade we are stuck with Lue and A.J….not good in my opinion.
Oh and the Dooling thing…There is a poster at the O=Zone who asked Dave D’Alessandro the Nets beatwriter about the possibility of Dooling coming and Tony Battie for that matter…his name is Ball Junkie…here is what Dave said…
Jimmy:
With Rafer Alston backing up Devin Haris and Courtney Lee and CDR manning the shooting guard spots you gotta figure Keyon Dooling’s role is gonna be limited a lot as compared to last season…any chance you guys will deal him?…Possibly back to Orlando?
Dave D.:
My guess: Dooling stays. if anything, they’ll wait until December and see if there are any takers for Rafer. Keyon’s entrenched here. He’s the only leader they got left.
And on Battie..
.Hey, Jimmy:
Not likely, unless his agent rings them one day and says, “Tony wants out, and he’ll take 20 cents on the dollar.” Besides all that, they need him pretty badly — their 4-5 spots are among the weakest in the league, and he’s got a defensive mentality that they’ve lacked terribly in the last 2 years.
As for his future, he’ll be a one-year-and-out guy. They won’t need him after next year.
Cheers,
Dave D.
by Magic fan in Polk on Aug 18, 2009 3:16 AM EDT reply actions
You don't care about stats and your assertion is based on the Magic winning with Nelson hurt.
The fact of the matter is that you’re wrong in saying that Orlando won 10 games in a row two years ago.
That never happened.
First, I have a press pass, too, so I could ask Otis if I wanted but it wouldn’t be worth the time. Second, Lue isn’t on the team so the Magic aren’t “stuck” with him. Third, the fact that you’re completely ignoring empirical data to try to support your own claims with flawed reasoning, well, I don’t know what to say.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
erivera7
What’s harsh is that you said you were not gonna comment again, lol…take off the hate for Arroyo…Stan and Otis need to do the same thing…and 2 years ago I didn’t agree with benching him.
For the rest of you that think Otis is still gonna reel in C.J. Watson check this…from the Oakland Tribune
Warriors general manager Larry Riley has turned down all the offers he’s received for Watson, the latest and most significant coming from the Orlando Magic, according to a person close to the talks. Riley turned down a first-round draft pick, cash and a reserve guard, the source said.
Riley, per team policy, declined to comment on trade discussions. But he did say he wants Watson in a Warriors uniform next season.
“We’ve had substantial interest for C.J. Watson in regards to sign-and-trades,” Riley said when reached by phone Monday. “We haven’t had an offer that’s exceeded C.J.‘s value. We like C.J., and we’ll be working toward bringing him back.”
I’m still waiting on another suggestion erivera7…Harsh, but needed to be said, lol.
Oh and C.J. Watson will not be wearing a Magic uni next season…
by Magic fan in Polk on Aug 18, 2009 3:41 AM EDT reply actions
Did you not read the post Ben wrote?
We all realize Watson isn’t coming to Orlando, unless Otis pulls another rabbit out of his hat.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
when you argue with fools,
people from afar can’t tell who’s who..
(or something like that)
arroyo = turd
J.J. Redick
I wonder if he was the guard Otis was offering to Golden State based on the Oakland Tribune article?…gotta be…with all the PG’s the Warriors have.
by Magic fan in Polk on Aug 18, 2009 3:53 AM EDT reply actions
erivera7, take that attitude off your shoulders…and I’m still waiting on a better suggestion for a back-up PG…
by Magic fan in Polk on Aug 18, 2009 4:02 AM EDT reply actions
Didn't the Celtics waive Gabe Pruitt?
He’d be a bit of a project, but he might be worthwhile. He’s got decent size, he’s young, and I think he could be a decent off-the-bench guard if he’s not getting buried behind guys like Eddie House and Sam Cassell.
"When you make your final stand
I'll be right there
I'll never leave
And all I ask of you is
Believe"
Pruitt got waived, yeah.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
He looked decent in summer league, too. Maybe worth a camp invitation...?
Third Quarter Collapse: An Orlando Magic blog at SB Nation | Brandon Bass: "I just play hard."
Works for me.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
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