32 C.J. Watson G

Watson agreed to join Turkish club Muratbey Usak Sportlif Basketbol.

Watson last appeared in the NBA with the Magic in 2016-17, averaging 4.5 points and 1.8 assists across 16.3 minutes, before being cut by the team in July of 2017. It seems unlikely the 33-year-old will attempt to make an NBA comeback.

Watson has been waived by the Magic, Chris Haynes of ESPN.com reports.

Watson was slated to make $5 million during the upcoming season, but by releasing him, the Magic will only be on the hook for $1 million of his salary. The 33-year-old veteran played a minor bench role for Orlando last season, averaging 4.5 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.8 assists across 16.3 minutes. He should field interest as a potential veteran mentor elsewhere in the league, but he'll likely be stuck in a deep reserve role no matter where he lands, which should severely restrict his fantasy value.

Watson managed two points (1-2 FG, 0-1 3Pt) and two assists across 11 minutes during Monday's 131-112 loss to the Raptors.

Watson started nine games from January to February, but hasn't been able to reclaim the spot from Elfrid Payton since returning from a three-game absence caused by an Achilles injury. Watson has averaged 4.2 points and 1.4 assists across 14.2 minutes per game while shooting 43.1 percent from the field since returning -- certainly not threatening Payton, who's averaging 13.7 points and 8.2 assists across 30.8 minutes per game while shooting 54.7 percent from the field over that stretch. Watson is likely only valuable in the deepest of fantasy leagues at this point, and doesn't seem in line for an uptick in minutes before the end of the season.

Watson (Achilles) logged 11 minutes off the bench in Friday's 110-99 win over the Heat, finishing with zero points (0-2 FG), three assists and one rebound.

Watson had a restricted workload following a three-game absence due to the sore Achilles, but it's uncertain if the veteran will have a chance to reclaim the starting role he occupied prior to the injury. Starter Elfrid Payton was excellent Friday with 12 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists and three steals in 27 minutes and probably earned himself another turn with the top unit Sunday against the Wizards. Watson's playing time figures to remain limited so long as he continues to come off the bench.

Watson (Achilles) will come off the bench during Friday's game against the Heat, John Denton of OrlandoMagic.com reports.

The Magic have cleared Watson to return from a three-game absence due to a sore right Achilles after he was able to log a full practice Thursday, but coach Frank Vogel will limit the veteran's minutes as he eases back in. Watson's restricted workload will allow Elfrid Payton to stick in the starting five for at least one more game, though Payton will likely need to play well in order to stave off Watson in the Magic's subsequent contests.

Watson (Achilles) will play Friday against the Heat, John Denton of the team's official site reports.

The veteran point guard practiced in full Thursday and endured no complications at morning shootaround Friday, so he's been cleared to return following a three-game absence. Though Watson had started in his last four appearances prior to suffering the injury, it's unclear if coach Frank Vogel will use the 32-year-old on the top unit in his first game back. Elfrid Payton has started at point guard the last three games with Watson out, averaging 8.7 points, 5.3 assists, 5.0 rebounds and 1.0 block in 23.7 minutes per contest.

Watson (Achilles) participated in practice Thursday, Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel reports.

Watson has missed the Magic's last three games with a sore right Achilles, but his return to practice is certainly a step in the right direction. It's unclear if he'll be active for Friday's matchup with the Heat, but if he is able to play, the 32-year-old would likely see reduced minutes as he works back up to speed. He had been serving as the team's starting point guard prior to his absence, but Elfrid Payton has since taken back those duties.

Watson (Achilles) is no longer sporting a walking boot, but was unable to practice Tuesday, Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel reports.

While getting rid of the walking boot amounts to progress on some level for Watson, it's still expected that he'll miss at least two more games before the Magic sign off on his return. During Watson's absence for the last two games, the Magic have used Elfrid Payton as their starting point guard, and he nearly turned in a triple-double in Saturday's win over the Hawks, putting up 15 points, nine rebounds, nine assists, two steals and two blocks over 28 minutes.

Watson (Achilles) is expected to miss at least a week of action, Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel reports.

Watson injured his Achilles in the final game before the All Star break, and continues to nurse the injury. The Magic have discussed signing another point guard to a 10-day contract while the veteran point guard is sidelined, so it appears they think he could miss even more time. Elfrid Payton figures to start and see a slightly increased workload with the veteran sidelined, while D.J. Augustin should see increased minutes off the bench as well.

Watson (Achilles) will miss at least another week, Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel reports.

The veteran continues to nurse a sore right Achilles, which kept him out of action Thursday night against the Trail Blazers. He'll likely miss at least the next three contests, meaning Elfrid Payton should be in line for another start at point guard. Per Robbins, the Magic may add another point guard, via a 10-day contract, to provide depth in the meantime.

Watson (Achilles) will not play in Saturday's game against the Hawks.

Watson has been nursing a sore Achilles since the final game before the All Star break, and will now miss at least two games as a result. It is unclear how long the injury will linger on, so he should continue being considered day-to-day going forward. Elfrid Payton figures to draw another start in the veteran's absence, and pick up extra minutes along with D.J. Augustin. Watson's next opportunity to return will be Wednesday versus the Knicks.

Watson (Achilles) will not play Thursday against the Trail Blazers, Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel reports.

Watson continues to nurse a sore Achilles, which caused him to be removed from the Magic's final game before the All-Star break on Feb. 15. Even with more than a week off to recover, the pain is still persisting, so the veteran will be held out of action, meaning Elfrid Payton and D.J. Augustin could each pick up some extra run.

Watson (Achilles) was held out of Tuesday's practice and is expected to have an MRI performed on Wednesday, Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel reports.

Watson suffered the injury in a game against the Spurs just prior to the All-Star break and despite over a week off for added rest and recovery, he's still dealing with some lingering discomfort. That's obviously concerning for his availability moving forward, but with an MRI scheduled for Wednesday, we should get further clarification on whether or not something more serious is at hand. Watson can be considered highly questionable for Thursday's game against the Trail Blazers until additional information is provided.

Watson is dealing with a sore right Achilles and won't return to Wednesday's game against the Spurs.

Watson drew his fourth straight start Wednesday, but a sore Achilles will limit him to just 12 minutes of action, which he finished with seven points (3-4 FG, 1-1 3Pt), two steals and a turnover. It doesn't sound like a serious issue, but he'll likely have more tests on it following the game. Wednesday marks the Magic's last game before the All-Star break, which means Watson should have about a week off for recovery before a matchup with the Trail Blazers on Feb. 23.

Watson tallied 10 points (3-7 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 3-4 FT), five assists, two rebounds and two steals over 29 minutes in Saturday's 112-80 loss to the Mavericks.

Watson made his second straight start at point guard and posted double-digit scoring once again, but had a modest stat line overall against the stingy Mavs defense. The 10-year veteran's deployment at the point hasn't resulted in an uptick in assists or his general usage as of yet, but he appears to be providing enough across the stat sheet to keep him in the first unit for the time being.

Watson will make his second straight start at point guard Saturday against the Mavericks, Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel reports.

Watson displaced Elfrid Payton as the starting point guard in Thursday's loss to the 76ers, finishing with 11 points, four assists, three rebounds and one steal in 28 minutes. Though Watson also committed five turnovers and the Magic ended up taking a loss for the fifth time in six games, coach Frank Vogel was apparently impressed enough by the point guard's performance to give him another look with the top unit, Payton was still a major factor off the bench Thursday with 15 points in 26 minutes, so Watson may not have much security in his starting role and will need to play well Saturday in order to maintain his spot going forward.

Watson will start at point guard for Thursday's game against the 76ers, Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel reports.

Watson has five starts so far this season, but Thursday's will be his first one while running the point. Coach Frank Vogel indicated he was looking for a spark after the Magic have lost four of their last five games, so Watson gets the call. Watson is averaging just 16.4 minutes per game so far this season, but should see a decent bump in minutes with the promotion. That said, it wouldn't be surprising if Payton, who Watson is replacing, ends up seeing a good chunk of minutes off the bench, which could limit Watson's overall upside.

Watson moved to the bench and scored five points (2-4 FG, 1-1 3Pt) while adding two steals and one assist in 19 minutes during Wednesday's 98-88 loss to the Pacers.

Watson had started at shooting guard in five of the last six games while Evan Fournier (foot) was either sitting out or limited by the injury, but now that the Frenchman is healthy again, it appears Watson will have to settle for a limited role off the bench on a more permanent basis. Wednesday's uninspiring outing looks like it could become the norm for Watson, so he's an easy drop candidate in most deeper leagues where he'd been owned over the last couple of weeks.

Watson will move to the bench for Wednesday's game against Indiana, Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel reports.

Evan Fournier will get the nod at shooting guard after coming off the bench Monday in his first game back from an eight-game absence. As such, Watson will likely see a slight reduction in minutes, though he still figures to hold a consistent role off the bench.

Watson scored 18 points (6-10 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 5-5 FT) to go along with four rebounds, two assists and two steals over 34 minutes of action during Monday's 111-105 loss to the Timberwolves.

Making his third consecutive start, Watson finished second on the team in scoring as he notched a season-high in that category to help his team hang on for overtime, although they ultimately did not prevail. This type of performance likely represents the best-case scenario for Watson's production, but he could continue to play an increased role for as long as injuries continue to limit some of Orlando's regular contributors.