FanHouse C.J. Watson

Next time you hear a professional athlete say "It's not about the money," don't scoff. We've got a legit one here. For Warriors' guard C.J. Watson, it's actually not about the money. At least not right now.

We know this because rather than take a three-year guaranteed contract with the Warriors worth $5.4 million, Watson is taking just a one-year deal worth $1.05. That's a lot of money to walk away from.

Particularly because next offseason, Watson will be in the same position he was in this offseason as a restricted free agent. Watson didn't want to commit long-term to the Warriors because he doesn't see himself as a long-term Warrior.

C.J. Watson makes his offseason home in Las Vegas so he knows a little something about gambling. Apparently, he's going to roll the dice.

Two NBA sources confirmed that Watson will soon take a one-year qualifying offer from the Golden State Warriors worth $1.05 million. What that means is Watson said no to a three-year contract from the Warriors worth $5.4 million.

The Warriors, per team policy, did not comment on the pending signing. Calls to Watson's agent, Mike Higgins, were not returned.

Pretty soon, we're going to find out if C.J. Watson is a gambler or not. Apparently, Watson is considering making a very bold move, and quite risky, too.

Various reports have Watson poised to sign a one-year qualifying offer from the Warriors worth $1.05 million. If that's the case, it means Watson, just 19 months removed from a D-League call-up, is turning his back on a three-year, $5.4 million offer from Golden State -- with a player option for Year No. 3, no less. That's pretty gutsy.

Late Tuesday night, both Watson's agent and the Warriors confirmed there was no deal between the sides. But two days ago, Watson announced on Twitter that he was returning to the Warriors.

At the start of the offseason, Warriors general manager Larry Riley said one of the team's pressing needs was to "add some beef."

We're not sure acquiring Mikki Moore qualifies as "beef," but Moore will give the Warriors more size on the interior. In fact, you could argue that the addition of Moore will mean the Warriors have one of most slender frontcourts in the NBA this season.

ESPN is reporting the Warriors and Moore have agreed to a one-year contract worth the league minimum of $1.3 million. Moore's agent, Mark Bartelstein, has confirmed this.

The Orlando Magic sent Rafer Alston to New Jersey earlier this summer because they didn't want a point guard controversy brewing this season.

They are going to have one now. It's only a matter of time.

By signing veteran point guard Jason Williams – a starter for the 2006 NBA champion Miami Heat – the Magic have opened the door to a world of late-game second guessing, especially if starter Jameer Nelson can't deliver consistently and keep the Magic atop the Eastern Conference standings.

Restricted free agent point guard C.J. Watson says he wants to play for the Orlando Magic. But the only way that's going to happen is if the Warriors and Magic can work out a sign-and-trade.

Why? Because the Magic are out of money.

Orlando has used up all of its mid-level exception on free agent forwards Brandon Bass and Matt Barnes, and it does not have its bi-annual exception, either.

Despite advancing all the way to the NBA Finals last season, the Orlando Magic have been one of the most active teams of the summer, staring the luxury tax in the face while pulling off a blockbuster trade (Vince Carter) and fearlessly investing in youth (Brandon Bass and Marcin Gortat).

On Monday, the team solidified its depth, coming to terms on a two-year deal with the versatile Matt Barnes, who's coming off a career season with the Phoenix Suns. The deal, first reported by ESPN's Marc Stein, hasn't been officially announced but was confirmed by the Orlando Sentinel via a text message from Aaron Goodwin, Barnes' agent.

Jamal Crawford will be a spectator tonight, watching from the bench as the Warriors host the Bobcats. Is he injured? Not at all. Suspended? Hardly. Instead, he's the victim one of Don Nelson's whims.

Despite the fact that Golden State's backcourt is already short-handed -- Monta Ellis (ankle) has already missed one game and will likely miss several more -- Nelson decided that tonight is a good time to begin randomly benching veterans in order to give younger players more playing time. C.J. Watson is expected to start, and Anthony Morrow and Marco Bellinelli should see a few more minutes, as well.