Reserve guard C.J. Watson was in Oakland on Wednesday to sign the Warriors' one-year qualifying offer for a little more than $1 million, a deal he selected over a three-year contract worth $5.4 million. "I realize it's a gamble," Watson said. "I took a chance and I have confidence in my abilities. Everybody knows that coach Don Nelson plays with different lineups and can put anybody out there at any time. I think I'll have chances to go out there and perform." Watson averaged 9.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.25 steals in 77 games last season, but the Warriors added draft choice Stephen Curry and two other point guards in dealing Jamal Crawford for Acie Law and Speedy Claxton.
Watson, a restricted free agent, flirted with Orlando and even said last month that he wanted to play there. Golden State upped its original $4.5 million offer by almost $1 million and gave Watson a player option for the final year, but the former NBA Developmental Leaguer still didn't choose the stability.
"I have big goals and aspirations," Watson said. "Some might say they are far-fetched, but I believe I can play. ... I think I can do better than I did last year with the minutes I'm going to see.
"... It wasn't easy to turn down the Warriors' deal, but it's the route I have chosen. I can't second-guess myself."
Watson averaged 14.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 18 starts last year, but those could be few and far between this go-round. Monta Ellis is healthy, and even if the Warriors trade Stephen Jackson, Watson could lose playing time to Curry.
Watson sees it a different way.
"My decision to re-sign with the Warriors was pretty much about playing time," he said. "This is where I thought I could get a significant amount of time, and I didn't want to lock myself in for three years."
-- Single-game tickets will go on sale at 9 a.m. Saturday at Oracle Arena, at 1 p.m. at Warriors.com and via phone.
