C.J. Watson has had a career of second chances. Now firmly established in the NBA, he hopes to set the example for this young Orlando Magic team.
The first time C.J. Watson’s name got attached to the Magic, Watson was a restricted free agent. He was hoping to join the Magic at a time when their championship window was wide open. He would have been a great scoring option off the bench, a solid defender in Stan Van Gundy’s system and a knock-down 3-point shooter. Watson said he was disappointed the deal could not get done — the Magic signed Chris Duhon instead to fill that void.
It took five years, a few GM and coach changes, but the interest remained mutual. That one day for Watson joining the Magic ended up being in 2015. And Watson is still kicking.
“I just thought it was the best situation at the time,” Watson said, finally donning a Magic No. 32. “To come in with the young core they have. Just hope to bring something positive to the team and get them back into the Playoffs.
“I’ll do whatever the coach needs me to do. Whatever lineups he puts out there, I will be able to give them a boost either way.”
Watson fills a definite need for the Magic. They needed the backup point guard and help behind Elfrid Payton. They also needed a shooter and someone capable of spreading the floor. Watson can do that after averaging 10.0 points per game and shooting 40.0 percent from the floor last year. He is a career 38.3 percent 3-point shooter.
His destiny may have been Orlando but his NBA career was not always that certain.
“C.J. is a veteran,” Magic general manager Rob Hennigan said of the signing. “He has been around for a few years. He has proven to be a very good backup point guard in this league. He has played int he Playoffs. More than anything, we just feel like he brings a calming presence, a shot-making presence and a solid defensive component as well.”
He has been in the league for eight years but went undrafted in the 2006 NBA Draft. His pre-NBA journey took him Italy and Greece before he landed in the D-League. He first played in the NBA in the 2008 season with Golden State. From there he has consistently found value.
Yet, when free agency came around this year, the Magic made their interest in Watson known early in the process, contacting him on the first day of free agency and letting him know Watson would be the priority after they go after a few big fish.
It did not take long after agreeing to terms with Tobias Harris for Watson’s name to come calling. And Watson sees the potential in this group to come together.
“With the additions that we have and the coach and the style and structure that he will bring, we will make that jump,” Watson said. “They are shooters and scorers, so they can shoot the ball and get to the basket and put the ball in the basket. That’s a great thing to have as a point guard.”
Watson will fill in nicely as the backup point guard for a team that struggled finding one off the bench last season. The mix of Luke Ridnour, Ben Gordon and Willie Green as backup point guard left a lot of pressure on rookie Elfrid Payton to carry the load.
In Watson, Orlando gets a player who can spread the floor with his jump shot and lead the team with playoff experience.
“Solid,” Elfrid Payton said when asked about the Watson pickup. “He has been in the playoffs. Someone who knows how to get there. Can continue to push me and Vic. He can give us some more veteran leadership. I think it’s a great addition.”
Watson has observed the Magic too. He said about the Pacers’ games last year with the Magic they had made many of the mistakes young teams make. Their play was a bit unstructured but the team is athletic and has the potential to be a great defensive-minded team.
More than many other players, Watson knows what it takes to last in the NBA and what it takes to find some kind of success in the league. That is the best advice he could give tot he team.
“Just try to be a professional,” Watson said. “How to make all the games last. Every game is going to count in the NBA whether it is the first one or the last one. I’m not anyone’s really teacher. I am just going to try and go out there and be a good example.”
Watson has had a career of second chances. He has had to work hard and persevere through disappointment to make it this far. He said he was near quitting basketball when he was toiling overseas. The perseverance paid off for him.
As any free agent, it is rare to see a guy jump into a rebuilding project with the pedigree Watson has established and not expect the team to take some steps forward. Watson has finally found his way to Orlando and he seems to be the right fit for this team to build and move forward.
As Watson has learned, every opportunity needs to be taken advantage of. If anyone can teach the Magic that, it might as well be Watson.