How the Orlando Magic should handle their free agents

C.J. Watson

To Re-Sign

C.J. Watson is a decent option as a backup point guard. For his role as the third point guard behind Elfrid Payton and D.J. Augustin, he did well. Watson was even asked to start a few games when Vogel tinkered with the lineups.

Watson gave the Magic good defense at the point guard spot and made few mistakes. Of all the Magic players appearing in at least 60 games, Watson had the fewest turnovers (47). What you want from your veteran backup is to not lose the game, Watson will do just that.

What you want from your veteran backup is to not lose the game, Watson will do just that.

Not to Re-Sign

The past two years in Orlando have been some of the worst of C.J. Watson’s career.  His numbers all around are steadily declining as he gets older. The Magic already have Elfrid Payton and D.J. Augustin under contract, so bringing Watson back is not a necessity.

Like Rudez, Watson would only be expected to contribute in garbage time or in the case of an injury. With the team looking to rebuild to some extent under a new front office, bringing in a younger third point guard might be more beneficial to the Magic.

Certainly, it makes sense to free up some cash with Watson being owed $5 million next season.

Verdict

Watson is not technically a free agent this offseason. The team can release Watson before his contract becomes fully guaranteed on July 10 and only take a cap hit of $1 million. The little extra gained from letting go of Watson could be valuable in free agency to sign a more productive player to be part of the teams future.

With the various point guards available through the draft and free agency, I cannot imagine a scenario that the Magic hold on to C.J. Watson. They will either trade him or release him before that July 10 deadline. They may have to if they want to be active in free agency.