Returning C.J. Watson to the lineup will be a tricky balance

C.J. Watson finally made his return to the court after the All-Star Break and splitting his minutes with the other point guards has proven difficult.

Scott Skiles has options for a change at point guard. The team’s trade to acquire Brandon Jennings and the subsequent return of C.J. Watson after a 40-plus-game absence suddenly gave the coach a seeming embarrassment of riches at point guard. At least compared to what it was before the trade.

Skiles opted to play C.J. Watson for the final 18:38 of Tuesday’s win over the Philadelphia 76ers. Elfrid Payton was struggling on defense and Brandon Jennings became a ghost after a silly foul in the backcourt right before halftime.

It was really Watson’s first extended time on the court since coming back from the injury and he was a big boost to the Magic. They went on a 13-2 run almost immediately after Watson checked in and took firm and final control of the game. The 76ers posted an 81.9 offensive rating with Watson in during this time.

Not all can be directly attributed to Watson, but as Skiles has said with the veteran point guard, he brings a calming sense to the team. His steady play certainly helped the Magic close the deal.

“If you didn’t see the game the other night and just look at his line, it wasn’t like his line was eye popping,” Skiles said of Watson’s play in Tuesday’s game. “But he had the best plus/minus in the game the other night. I feel like he settled us down a little bit, and he does that. We’ll continue to take a look at it. It is a bit of a challenge trying to get all three guys out there and get them minutes. We’ll keep looking at it and see what we come up with.”

Finding time or the right time for Watson now that he is back from injury is going to prove to be the difficult part. Exiting the trade deadline now with Brandon Jennings, Skiles said it felt like he was getting two new point guards after Watson’s extended absence.

Since Watson’s return, he has played in 13.3 minutes per game with 2.8 points per game and 40.0 percent field goal shooting. But with him on the floor, the Magic post a 120.9 offensive rating with Watson on the floor, the best on the team in that time span. Just ignore the 122.4 defensive rating at the moment.

That probably makes it not worth putting all in for Watson at the moment.

These are small sample sizes, so it is hard to invest too much into statistics. But it is also clear Watson can be a positive for the Magic and that Skiles has difficult challenges ahead of him in doling out minutes between his three point guards.

Through the four games since the trade deadline the minutes split has been Elfrid Payton playing 25.1 minutes per game, Brandon Jennings playing 18.1 minutes per game and Watson posting his 13.3 minutes per game. Obviously with Skiles, minutes tend to fluctuate based on how players are performing and team needs.

All three players have skills that can help the Magic in different ways. Watson with his steady play, Jennings with his scoring ability and Payton with his ability to get into the paint and dish.

“I’m sure it’s tough as a coach,” Watson said. “We’re all going to go out there and compete and whenever we get on the court play the best for the team.”

And so far, the Magic have had a difficult time balancing those minutes and figuring out how best to get Watson back into the lineup. As much as Watson is still getting his feet wet with the team.

Entering his first few games, Watson said he felt good and was no longer feeling pain. He said he was simply antsy to get back onto the floor after missing so much time. Unlike Jennings though, Watson is likely part of the long-term plans, in the first year of a three-year deal.

The Magic surely missed his steady hand through the middle of the season as Watson was out. Having to rely on Shabazz Napier and Mario Hezonja for backup point guard minutes was difficult. Hezonja is not a true point guard and Napier had his own struggles with his shot.

The injury still sort of defied explanation other than a calf strain that would not heal or paint that would not subside.

“It was tough being out that long,” Watson said. “I had never been out three months and being in pain the whole time. It was pretty difficult. I had a lot of talks with a lot of people. They tried to give me a little strength. I didn’t really need it. It was cool. It was all part of the process.”

It is pretty clear talking to Watson how antsy he was to get back on the court. And even though he does not produce a ton of numbers for the Magic, they have benefited from him being on the court generally. Certainly as he gets back to full speed and gains health again, he should fit much better.

And the Magic, desperately in need of a veteran, have needed him on the court. He did his best to stay engaged while he was out by talking to the players. But there is little substitute for going out there and doing it. Especially since Watson can play shooting guard and pair with the other point guards in the rotation.

Skiles will have some difficult decisions integrating Watson back into the rotation. There has already been inconsistency and uneasiness. And the Magic are still sorting things out with their rotation at point guard in that sense.

Watson will begin to show what he can do. And when he does, like he did Tuesday, he will get the call and get the minutes.

Until the end of the season, Skiles will have to define roles again and a rotation will have to reveal itself. With Watson returning from injury, it just has to work and everyone will have to do what they can.

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“I feel good,” Watson said. “I’m just glad to be out there where coach needs me. I’m more comfortable at the one, so I just have to make it work.”