RUMOR: Magic to Sign Warriors Restricted Free Agent C.J. Watson

UPDATE (7/21/09 8:48am): See Source says Warriors point guard Watson will sign Magic offer sheet [Inside Bay Area]

Warriors third-year point guard C.J. Watson is close to signing an offer sheet with the Orlando Magic, according to a source close to negotiations.

Representatives for Watson - who already has turned down a one-year, $2.3 million offer from the Philadelphia 76ers - spent Monday trying to hammer out a deal with the Magic. Watson is hoping for a three-year deal.

Because he is a restricted free agent, the Warriors have the right to match any offer Watson signs though they are over the salary cap limit. Doing so, however, would put the Warriors in an odd situation.

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The Quiet Storm!

Is KLBX moving stations from the Bay Area to the FlOrlando?

Tim Povtak over at AOL Fanhouse has the scoop:

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...

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.

A few thoughts, but first check out what our friends over at Orlando Magic community Third Quarter Collapse think about this:

• First thing's first. CJ Watson is NOT a point guard just as his D-League stats would have predicted when the Dubs called him up 1.5 seasons ago. Last season he averaged 0.4 more assists/ 36 than... Ronny Turiaf. That shows that Ronny's willing to share the rock of course, but it also shows that Watson's court vision is isn't exactly point guard material- even backup point guard material
• Watson is a real nice shooter just as his D-League stats indicated when the Dubs called him up 1.5 seasons ago. His 45.7% FG and 40.0% 3pt shooting this past season were pretty impressive.
• Watson is a horrible defender. I don't want to pick on Watson since he seems like a cool cat and it's nice that he even got called up from the NBDL, but he was pretty much a revolving door on D last season. You could make a reasonable argument that he was worse than 2008-2009 WWDPY winner Jamal Crawford or even Monta "every scrub I guard turns into a superstar" Ellis.
• What's with Otis Smith's Magic and former Dubs? Adonal Foyle, Mickael Pietrus, and... CJ Watson?
• This is GM Larry Riley's first test of homerism. I liked the Riley hire since day 1. He might not have the most star-studded resume in the association, but he's been involved with all facets of NBA non-playing life- scouting, coaching, and front office work. That's way more experience than the Dubs' previous front office publicity stunt had. Everytime he speaks you can tell he knows this game from various angles. Riley has gone on record in the past saying how much he likes Watson. Riley also played a big role in scouting him I believe. Here's Riley's first chance to show he isn't victim to those mistakes Chris Mullin made by overpaying and outbidding on players he just liked for whatever reason (ahem, Mike Dunleavy).
• If the Magic are offering anything longer than a 1-2 year deal then Warriors need to PASS like Peyton Manning. It doesn't make much sense to tie up your money to a very replaceable backup non-passing point guard without that much upside.
• If the Magic offer C.J. a long term deal, good for him. It's always exciting to see guys work like crazy in the NBDL and in the Euro leagues and get next to no recognition aside from such ridiculous outlets as Ridiculous Upside and then finally latch on to a team in the big leagues. Hey that's way more than a guy like Darko Milicic can say, who is still making a living based on scouting reports and draft position from half a decade ago.
• This has next to ZERO impact on the Warriors upcoming season.